After losing ground to Manchester City late in their title-contending campaign, Premier League heavyweights Arsenal are allegedly interested in strengthening the defence this summer.
What has changed since Josip Sutalo joined Arsenal?
The Evening Standard reports that Gunners manager Mikel Arteta is pressuring technical director Edu to arrange a transfer for Dinamo Zagreb defender Sutalo, who has been valued at over £18 million.
The 23-year-old, a versatile defender, would provide strong coverage across the defensive third, as several Arsenal defenders have been linked to moves away from the Emirates this season.
According to Italian reporter Lorenzo Lepore, the ace is being watched by a number of clubs, including Fiorentina, Leipzig, Wolfsburg, Fulham, and Manchester United, but the attractiveness of the Arsenal project might be enough to convince him to sign a contract.
Whom might Sutalo succeed at Arsenal?
Sutalo, who rose through the Zagreb youth systems to play a key role in the first squad, has quickly established himself as one of his team’s treasured assets and is destined to eventually join one of Europe’s top teams.
Sutalo made 32 appearances for Zagreb’s development teams before making 77 appearances overall. This season, he has made 32 appearances for his club, scoring three goals while being lauded as a “top talent” by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
According to FBref, the titan has been among the top 10% of defenders in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons, top 4% for blocks, and top 19% for tackles per 90, demonstrating a growing toughness that will serve him well for aspirational Arsenal.
Sutalo’s selection for Croatia’s World Cup team last year is evidence of his quick rise; he made one appearance in the country’s third-place play-off against Morocco, which they won and took home bronze, and talent scout Jacek Kulig even dubbed him “highly underrated.”
Rob Holding, who has put in some dubious performances over the past several months, may finally be let go by Arteta if the Spanish manager is serious about making a swoop.
Gunners player Rob Holding
According to Goal reporter Charles Watts, Holding “exposed woefully” in the Gunners’ embarrassing defeat to title rivals Manchester City. It is no accident that Arsenal’s deterioration coincides with William Saliba’s injury and Holding’s insertion into the starting lineup.
There is no knowing how far Sutalo’s rising ascension could go, but with Arsenal, one of Europe’s top teams known for its crop of young talent, he might well find a fruitful path to success given the growing interest in his signing and the growing number of good performances.
