It would be fair to say that the transfer window is shaping up to be one of Arsenal’s most dramatic for some time.
After weeks of little to no noticeable progress on the recruitment front, the Gunners burst into life a couple of weeks ago and have now announced the signing of backup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and midfield metronome Martin Zubimendi.
Moreover, the links to Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo refuse to go away, and the club have reportedly been in talks with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
However, perhaps the most exciting development of all concerns the saga surrounding Viktor Gyokeres, although it also appears that Arsenal are keen to land an international ace with whom the Swede would love to play.
Arsenal moving to sign brilliant Gyokeres partner
Following yet another campaign in which they came close but failed to win a trophy, it was clear that a new centre-forward had to be one of Arsenal’s primary targets this summer.
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For a long time, it looked like RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko was going to be that forward, but with the German outfit reportedly demanding at least €90m, which is about £78m, the Gunners turned to another of their options: Gyokeres.
It now looks like a deal for the Swedish goal machine is a matter of time, as personal terms have already been agreed, and the Sporting CP star has even agreed to forgo €2m of his salary to help move things along.
As if that wasn’t enough to get excited about, it now looks like the North Londoners are also making progress towards another attacking signing, an international who Gyokeres will surely love playing with: Noni Madueke.
Yes, according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are incredibly interested in the Chelsea ace.
The Italian journalist reaffirms claims that the Gunners have an “agreement” with the Englishman, and that even though there is a difference in valuation between the two clubs, they’re now “set to make the first bid” for him “at any moment.”
In terms of price, it appears that the Blues value the former PSV Eindhoven gem at around £50m.
While it might not be the transfer some fans were hoping for, Madueke has the ability and potential to become something special for Arsenal, and a brilliant teammate for Gyokeres at that.
Why Gyokeres will love playing with Madueke
There are really two reasons why Gyokeres would love playing in a team with Madueke, and the most important is his style of play.
From looking at his heatmap for Sporting last season, and the areas in which he scores his goals, we can see that, at his best, the free-scoring Swede really is the archetypal penalty box poacher.
Therefore, if the Gunners are going to get the most out of him next season, they will need to get the ball to him when he’s in dangerous situations, and there are two ways of doing so in open play: passing it up the pitch and carrying it there.
While Martin Odegaard will be tasked with doing the former, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the Chelsea star is truly world-class at the latter.
Don’t just take our word for it, though, as FBref ranked him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues last season for progressive carries and carries into the penalty area, while also ranking him in the top 7% for total progressive carrying distance, all per 90.
Progressive Carries
6.82
Top 1%
Carries into Penalty Area
4.12
Top 1%
GCA (Defensive Action)
0.04
Top 4%
Touches (Att Pen)
8.15
Top 4%
Non-Penalty xG
0.43
Top 6%
Shots Total
3.54
Top 7%
Progressive Carrying Distance
154.28
Top 7%
Shots on Target
1.33
Top 8%
In other words, the tricky Englishman is a simply outrageous carrying “monster,” as dubbed by personal coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst, and could therefore be a key cog in the machine that feeds the former Coventry star chance after chance.
Moreover, the second reason the Swede could love playing with the “fearless” winger, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, is that his output wasn’t too bad at all last season.
Excluding the Club World Cup, the seven-capped international played 2449 minutes of football across all competitions, in which he scored 11 goals and provided five assists.
That means he averaged a goal involvement every 153.06 minutes, and suggests that in a better team, alongside a more effective striker, he could do much better.
Ultimately, Arsenal need to overhaul their attack this summer, and bringing in Gyokeres and Madueke is a fantastic way to start.
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