Arsenal are in a transfer predicament when it comes to Eberechi Eze. football.londonunderstands that the Gunners still hold a keen interest in the player, however that need to sign the England international has diminished since the contract renewal of Ethan Nwaneri.
Eze is viewed predominantly as a central attacking player despite being able to play in a wide area, and the Gunners already have Nwaneri, Martin Odegaard, and the exciting Max Dowman as options in this area of the field. Tottenham’s interest in the player has recently been renewed and the North London rivals of Arsenal are making genuine attempts to lure him to Thomas Frank’s project following a serious injury to James Maddison.
Arsenal would need to sell some of their players, likely including Leandro Trossard, to make a move for a third attacking player – at least that is what is expected. However, by that time, Eze might have moved or the club are believed already to be assessing more natural left wing targets although names are not easy to come by.
Previous links to Anthony Gordon and Rodrygo have simmered with moves expected to be too expensive, even with the potential sales. However, football.london has collated a list of three potential alternatives the club could consider.
However, to provide context, a look at the existing starting left winger, Gabriel Martinelli, helps provide some context around what the options are being compared to. The main concern surrounding the Brazilian is his efficiency, decision-making and ability to beat opposition defenders before executing a pass or shot.
Despite being ranked among Transfermarkt’s top ten highest valued left wingers in world football, many have run out of patience and want an upgrade or a player to offer better competition by replacing Trossard. Martinelli, in the last year, according to FBRef, ranks in the 57th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 at 0.28, meaning 43% of wingers and attacking midfielders in Europe’s top five are scoring at a faster rate for their respective clubs.
He ranks in the 32nd percentile for assists per 90 with 0.14 and the 18th for shot-creating actions per 90 with 2.90. Martinelli’s on-the-ball ability is ranked in the 78th percentile for progressive carries per 90 (4.69), and of those, he ranks in the 46th percentile for successful take-ons per 90 with 1.48.
Looking at the start of the alternatives, Lyon’s 20-year-old Malick Fofana has been linked with a move to several Premier League sides. Predominantly a left-winger, he has been an efficient goalscorer, ranking in the 90th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.47). He has had some success as a creative player, ranking in the 61st percentile for assists per 90 (0.21) but only ranks in the 37th percentile, still more than Martinelli, for shot-creating actions per 90 (3.38).
On the ball, he carries it extremely well, ranking in the 98th percentile. Only Noni Madueke puts in higher numbers here, with 6.72. He ranks in the 41st percentile for successful take-ons per 90 with 1.41.
Next up is Rafael Leao of AC Milan, a chaotic winger who has had some issues with consistency but remains one of Europe’s most highly regarded left wingers and the highest valued on this list according to Transfermarkt. He scores goals frequently, ranking in the 69th percentile with 0.32 non-penalty goals per 90.
Creatively, he’s the best on this list so far, with 0.26 assists per 90, ranking him in the 75th percentile with 4.13 shot-creating actions per 90, putting him in the 68th percentile. Despite having a lower progressive carry per 90 rate of 4.74 (79th percentile), his take-ons are very impressive, completing 2.83 per 90 and scoring him in the 95th percentile.
Ademola Lookman remains a player looking for a move, having handed in a transfer request. His numbers with Atalanta have been truly top-class: 98th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.63), 53rd percentile for assists per 90 (0.20), and, importantly, 92nd percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 (5.51), a figure Viktor Gyokeres will surely be excited by.
He’s good on the ball himself, ranking in the 91st percentile for progressive carries per 90 (5.71). However, he is less successful than Leao at beating his man but more so than Martinelli, with 1.72 successful take-ons per 90, putting him in the 61st percentile.
All three of these players would add goals, attacking threat and creativity to the Arsenal side. They’re putting in numbers that wholly eclipse those of Martinelli currently, although playing in different leagues and could be available for accessible transfer fees after the sale of several other players.
