After six years of hard progress, there is a real sense that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal could get over the line and win the Premier League this season.
The Spaniard has built a squad full to the brim with 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 has been along for the whole journey and has, in turn, become the club’s talisman, the face of the project, is Bukayo Saka.
The Hale Ender could end up being one of the club’s greatest ever players, and if reports are to be believed, Arsenal might just be looking at another wide star who could be Arteta’s next Saka.
Arsenal target their next Saka
The first half of this season has been an odd one for Saka, as while he’s generally been Arsenal’s best or second-best attacker, he’s not quite put up the numbers fans would expect him to.
With that said, a return of seven goals and six assists in 26 games would be considered a remarkable level of output for most attackers.
However, supporters, and his manager for that matter, know he can do even better, as even though he was out for months last season, the Englishman chalked up a sensational tally of 26 goal involvements in 37 appearances, totalling just 2619 minutes.
It feels more like a matter of when and not if the 24-year-old gets back to that world-class level of output, and when he does, he might have some extra competition, as the club are keen on someone who could be another Saka-like gem for Arteta.
At least that is according to a recent report from the Mirror, which claims Arsenal are interested in Yan Diomande.
The report has revealed that RB Leipzig star is a player that the Gunners are now ‘monitoring’ ahead of a ‘potential summer transfer.’
However, while the 19-year-old is expected to leave the German side at the end of the season, Andrea Berta and Co might have to pay up €100m, which is about £87m for his services, per an older report from The Athletic.
It could therefore be a complicated and costly deal to get done, but given Diomande’s immense ability and potential, Arsenal should fight for him, especially as he could be Arteta’s next Saka.
Why Diomande could be Arsenal’s next Saka
The first reason that Diomande could be Arteta and Arsenal’s next Saka is the simple fact that, like the mercurial number seven once was, he’s a hugely promising young winger.
More than that, though, the Ivorian international is a promising winger who is already delivering the goods when it comes to goals and assists.
For example, the “generational talent,” as dubbed by journalist Bence Bocsák, has already scored seven goals and provided four assists in 16 appearances, totalling just 1041 minutes this season.
That means he is averaging a goal involvement every 1.45 games, or every 94.63 minutes, which would be incredible for a seasoned veteran, let alone a 19-year-old.
Furthermore, like the Gunners’ poster boy, the Leipzig gem has shown an impressive level of versatility, playing on both the right and left wings 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 up his development with impressive underlying numbers, so too is the teen phenom.
|
Diomande’s Scout Report |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Per 90 |
Percentile |
|
Successful Take-Ons |
4.08 |
Top 1% |
|
Progressive Carrying Distance |
170.52 |
Top 1% |
|
Ball Recoveries |
6.15 |
Top 1% |
|
Interceptions |
0.94 |
Top 2% |
|
Non-Penalty Goals |
0.50 |
Top 3% |
|
Progressive Carries |
6.22 |
Top 3% |
|
Goals/Shot |
0.24 |
Top 3% |
|
Carries into Final Third |
3.45 |
Top 3% |
|
Carries into Penalty Area |
3.33 |
Top 3% |
|
Goals |
0.50 |
Top 5% |
|
Goal-Creating Actions |
0.82 |
Top 6% |
|
Shot-Creating Actions |
5.21 |
Top 7% |
For example, FBref ranks him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons and ball recoveries, the top 2% for interceptions, the top 3% for non-penalty goals and progressive carries and more, all per 90.
The numbers highlight that just like Arteta’s talisman, the youngster is brilliant going forward but also more than willing to help out with the dirty work.
Ultimately, while 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.
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