Worthy or Not? Arsenal edition

Worthy or Not? Arsenal Edition

In this series, we’ll be rating some of the most solid transfer rumours for each club. The players will be rated on their performances, their price tags and how well they would settle into the club’s system. Today the club being discussed would be Arsenal, let’s see if the targets are worthy or not!

Worthy or Not?

1) Ben White : Brighton & Hove Albion

Arsenal are rumoured to be paying 50 million Euros for The 23-year-old English centre half. He has played 36 games this season for the Seagulls and has been quite impressive. He averages 11.54 pressures per 90, 1.58 tackles, 1.27 interceptions, 1.95 blocks, 2.2 clearances and 1.47 aerials won per 90. As Brighton do compete in the same league, and White made the cut of the Euro 2020 squad, his evaluation seems to be higher than his quality. And for a club like Arsenal, splashing 50 million on a centre back may not be the best move.

Rating : 7/10 (Not Worthy)

2) Manuel Locatelli : Sassuolo

Arsenal have launched a bid for the Italian talent and this is one player they must try their best to get. Locatelli would be the perfect upgrade and replacement for Granit Xhaka who is most certainly departing for Rome. And this is a signing where Arsenal should be ready to overpay in order to obtain him. He’s a great ball carrier where he averages 5.6 progressive carries and 7.73 progressive passes per 90. And his defensive averages are also quite impressive which include 14.32 pressures, 1.21 interceptions and 2.03 clearances per 90. He has even recorded 6 g/a in this campaign and the Gunners need to fight Juventus for this one.

Rating : 9/10 ( Worthy )

3) Aaron Ramsdale : Sheffield United

The English tax is getting out of hand now and the Sheffield shot-stopper being valued at 40 million is just ridiculous. It will be even more ridiculous if Arsenal do end up matching that valuation and sign him. They have a chance to sign André Onana for a much lesser amount and he even has Champions League experience. There’s nothing wrong with Ramsdale as a player but the valuation put up for him by his parent club should be a big red flag for Arsenal. If they wish to pursue an English keeper, they should look into Sam Johnstone instead.

Rating : 4/10 ( Definitely Not Worthy )

4) James Maddison : Leicester City

Arsenal are making Maddison one of their prime targets in the attacking department. As Martin Ødegaard is set to return to Madrid now, this is the next best alternative for the Gunners. Maddison has only played 24 PL games this season (7 off the bench) but still managed 13 g/a and should help Arsenal’s attack. Maddison has 4.79 shot-creating actions per 90 with his progressive passes (4.31) and progressive carries (6.19) are also a great contribution. As Leicester have put up a valuation of 60-80 million Euros, Arsenal should however look at options from other leagues before getting the Foxes forward. And Arsenal can even include Joe Willock as a part of the deal to reduce the transfer fee. The only drawback is that the player is injury prone, but apart from that, he could be a key part of the rebuild.

Rating : 8/10 ( Worthy )