With the return of Champions League play to the Emirates it’s obvious the Gunners have had a dominant season as one of the top two season clubs.
Arsenal led the way and narrowly missed out on winning their first Premier League title since 2004 but returned to the pinnacle of European football, which was cause for celebration.
As the summer transfer window draws near, Arsenal will look to bolster the areas that prevented them from having the ideal season in an effort to achieve similar heights the following year.
Mikel Arteta is said to be eyeing Barcelona’s young forward, Ansu Fati.
The 20-year-old hasn’t seen much action at Camp Nou and reports theorise that Arsenal have been “offered” the chance to sign him.
The young forward is reportedly valued at €60 million (£52 million) by the CIES Football Observatory, and the club has “yet to confirm” whether their interest in him is shared.
What will Ansu Fati contribute to Arsenal?
The Bissau-born Spanish international made his debut at age 16 after moving up the ranks at La Masia and was hailed as possibly being Barcelona’s “heir to Lionel Messi.”
The two wide players, compared to Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli by FBref, are statistically similar in their approach to the game from the flanks, which could give Arteta significant strength in depth and cause him trouble when selecting teams.
Fati averaged a staggering 4.01 shots per 90, according to FBref, placing him in the top 1% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year. Martinelli scored 2.52 goals in the same area.
In the penalty area, Arsenal’s No. 11 is very tactile, as evidenced by the Gunners’ style of play. This may fit the style of the “extraordinary” Spaniard, as hailed by Xavi, who hits numbers similar to the Brazilian where he is most impressive.
The La Liga star, who earns £199k per week, scores more goals with 7.73 touches per 90, demonstrating the calibre of talent Arteta could sign this summer. The 21-year-old averages 6.99 touches per 90 in the attacking penalty area.
If Fati were to move to north London, he could compete with Arsenal’s joint-highest goalscorer, who, despite appearing untouchable in Arteta’s system, would likely enjoy competition with a player of the 20-year-old’s stature.
Martinelli’s ascent to the position of a reliable starter at the club has been attributed to his capacity to rise to the occasion. For instance, when Leandro Trossard was left out at Villa Park earlier this season, Martinelli responded by scoring off the bench.
When you look at the depth of talent in Manchester City’s locker, quality in numbers is required all over the pitch. The Gunners’ failure to win the title was partially due to their lack of squad depth, which was, in this case, most noticeably in defence.
The Spaniard’s positive impact on Arteta’s developing team is certain, but it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will attempt to lure him away from his Catalonia home.
