With Mikel Arteta unafraid to spend significant money to enhance his club, Arsenal is already close to making a handful of new recruits to start off this summer’s expenditure.
Despite their victory in the Premier League last season, they were still far behind Manchester City, who went on to win an unprecedented treble by winning the FA Cup and Champions League as well.
To break Pep Guardiola’s hold on English football, which has been immortalised forever, will not be an easy task. But his former pupil and foe is unquestionably the person best suited to do it.
While Jurrien Timber would offer depth and exceptional skill at full-back and midfield, Kai Havertz is expected to add some more firepower. Declan Rice is another encouraging addition, leaving only one position lacking: a real center-back.
Despite the Dutchman’s many strengths, it is obvious that he is more than just a defensive player. The Gunners could even try to replace one of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba if rumours are accurate, but they still need strong competition for them.
After all, it may be argued that Marc Guehi, a potential purchase from Crystal Palace, possesses the skills needed to succeed the powerful Brazilian and is available for about £50 million.
Marc Guehi: Would he make Arsenal better?
The 25-year-old who has recently excelled at the Emirates has comparable possession quality to the England international, despite both being two big central defenders.
The Chelsea academy graduate’s performances are made even more astounding given that he has excelled for a far lesser squad, retaining an average rating of 6.94 supported by his 85% pass accuracy, 1.2 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, and 3.6 clearances per game in the league last season (via Sofascore).
However, such performance was anticipated; Josef Bursik, his previous teammate at the U21 level, had described him as a “brick wall” and a “absolute tank” to play with.
It is unsettling to consider Guehi on a squad as talented as Arteta’s given that he performs better than Gabriel despite being three years Gabriel’s junior in all three of the defensive metrics just discussed.
According to Sofascore, the Brazilian international last year gave away two penalties and made one mistake that resulted in a goal, thus he would also prove to be a more dependable asset. Despite only making one such mistake of his own, the Eagles’ star defence was far better in his own end zone because he didn’t give up any penalties.
Sailba’s elegance and finesse might soar to new heights with a more defensively sound partner next to them, sending Gabriel back to the bench as an outstanding first reserve. Arteta is after the kind of squad depth that only Manchester City’s competitors can claim, which would be audacious.
When compared to other center-backs in Europe, Saliba ranks in the top 7% for pass completion percentage, therefore the Frenchman might also gain from such a transfer. With this 6-foot-tall warrior by his side, his ball-playing prowess could only become better.
In addition to adhering to the club’s philosophy of believing in the talent that youth may bring, such a transfer would undoubtedly add the necessary depth to compete with the Citizens on a higher level.
Guehi has such a promising future and, in many ways, is already a step above his potential new colleague. His acquisition might be the deciding factor in transforming Arsenal into a genuine contender.
