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After six years of hard progress, we really feel that Mikel Arteta Arsenal could cross the finish line and win the Premier League this season.
The Spaniard has assembled a team chock full of exceptional players, from the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber at the back to Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in the middle of the park.
However, the player who accompanied him throughout the journey and in turn became the talisman of the club, the face of the project, is Bukayo Saka.
The Hale Ender could end up being one of the club’s greatest players of all time, and if reports are to be believed, Arsenal could well be turning their attention to another big star who could be Arteta’s next Saka.
Arsenal target their next Saka
The first half of this season has been a strange one for Saka, as although he has generally been Arsenal’s best or second best striker, he hasn’t quite put up the numbers fans would expect from him.
That said, a return of seven goals and six assists in 26 games would be considered a remarkable level of performance for most strikers.
However, the fans, and his manager for that matter, know he can do even better, because despite being out for months last season, the Englishman recorded a sensational tally of 26 goals in 37 appearances, for a total of just 2619 minutes.
It seems more like a question of when and not if the 24-year-old will return to that level of world-class production, and when he does he could have some added competition, as the club are looking for someone who could be another Saka-type gem for Arteta.
At least that’s what one says recent Mirror reportwho claims that Arsenal are interested in Yan Diomandé.
The report has revealed that the RB Leipzig star is a player the Gunners are now “monitoring” ahead of a “potential summer transfer”.
However, with the 19-year-old set to leave the German side at the end of the season, Andrea Berta and Co could have to pay €100m, or around £87m, for his services. according to an old report from The Athletic.
So this could be a complicated and expensive deal to pull off, but given Diomande’s immense ability and potential, Arsenal should be fighting for him, especially as he could be Arteta’s next Saka.
Why Diomande could be Arsenal’s next Saka
The first reason why Diomande could be Arteta and Arsenal’s next Saka is the simple fact that, as the number seven once was, he is a hugely promising young winger.
But even more, the Ivory Coast international is a promising winger who already delivers the goods in terms of goals and assists.
For example, “generational talent”, as the journalist calls it Bence Bocsakhas already scored seven goals and provided four assists in 16 appearances, totaling just 1041 minutes this season.
That means he averages a goal every 1.45 games, or every 94.63 minutes, which would be incredible for a seasoned veteran, let alone a 19-year-old.
Additionally, like the Gunners poster boy, the Leipzig gem has displayed an impressive level of versatility, playing on both the right and left wing for his club.
The Abidjan-born dynamo has also already established himself as an important member of the Ivory Coast national team, just as Saka did at a young age with England.
Finally, just as the Three Lions star has backed his development with impressive underlying numbers, so has the teenage phenom.
|
Diomande Scout Report |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics |
By 90 |
Percentile |
|
Successful initiatives |
4.08 |
1% higher |
|
Progressive transport distance |
170.52 |
1% higher |
|
Ball recoveries |
6:15 a.m. |
1% higher |
|
Interceptions |
0.94 |
Top 2% |
|
Goals without penalty |
0.50 |
Top 3% |
|
Progressive ports |
6.22 |
Top 3% |
|
Goals/Shooting |
0.24 |
Top 3% |
|
Continues into the final third |
3.45 |
Top 3% |
|
Transport to the penalty zone |
3.33 |
Top 3% |
|
Goals |
0.50 |
Top 5% |
|
Goal-creating actions |
0.82 |
Top 6% |
|
Plan Creation Actions |
5.21 |
Top 7% |
For example, FBref ranks him among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for successful positions and ball recoveries, top 2% for interceptions, top 3% for non-penalty goals and progressive runs and more, all per 90.
The numbers underline that, much like Arteta’s talisman, the youngster is bright for the future but also more than willing to help with the dirty work.
Ultimately, although it would be a lot of money to spend on someone so young, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Diomande, as he could be Arteta’s next Saka.
