Mikel Arteta’s team proved last weekend that they are a legitimate contender for the Premier League crown with their 2-0 victory against Brighton.
With only two losses this season and an almost 70% winning percentage, the Gunners are presently leading the league.
The Spaniard wants to bring a young defender into his team even though he already has one of the greatest squads in the league.
Most recent moves to Arsenal: Jorrel Hato
Suleyman Öztürk, a journalist for SoccerNews in the Netherlands, claims that Jorrel Hato is being observed by Manchester City and Arsenal due to his impressive growth this season.
The Ajax Premier League’s Jorrel Hato
If he keeps up his current form, the defender might become the first Ajax player to be sold for €100 million (£87 million).
A trade in January is doubtful, though, given the Gunners need to raise money in order to comply with financial fair play regulations.
The playing style of Jorrel Hato
Hato’s designation as “one of the most talented CBs of his generation” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig is not surprising, considering that the 17-year-old Dutch defender has already made his international debut and worn the captain’s armband for Ajax.
The left-footed defender possesses all the attributes of a contemporary center-half, and his mobility, energy, and ability to advance play are striking similarities with William Saliba.
The comparison of Hato’s on-the-ball skills to those of other centre backs from this season’s Europa League is displayed in the table below. It’s a really impressive book to read.
2023/24 UEL Statistics for Jorrel Hato
Statistics (per 90)
Hato
The percentile
completed passes
63.37
top 14%
Passes finished (brief)
24.50
Top 15%
carries
56.33
top 17%
Effective attacks
1.17
Top 3 percentile
Feels
81.5
top sixteen percent
Statistics through FBref
Hato is among the greatest ball-playing centre backs in the competition this year, as you can see, and he would fit right in with Arsenal’s French defender. The Ajax star would undoubtedly flourish in Arteta’s environment, which is obsessed with control and highly skilled players.
In addition, he can go into the midfield and is a superb ball carrier, both of which are very helpful when Arsenal is up against a low block. Although the Ajax academy graduate can pass the ball far, he likes to send short passes to move the ball fast.
Despite playing as a center-back in 20 of his 24 Ajax games this season, the 6-foot star has also demonstrated his ability to play as a left-back. This is a feature of his game that Arteta will especially enjoy because Oleksandr Zinchenko, his left-sided defender, is frequently used by the Spaniard in an inverted position.
In the event that the ball is reversed in the middle of the field, Hato’s ability to defend in wide channels will aid the Ukraine international in his job by controlling the left, thus enabling Arsenal to take more chances and commit more players forward.
Despite just being 17 years old, the defender has a bright future in football. Saliba and the Netherlands prospect do have the ability to take centre stage at Arsenal Football Club and rule the Premier League for many years to come. Those who are present at Emirates Stadium should be drooling over this possible defensive pairing.
