How good is Bukayo Saka? It’s no wonder Arsenal football club are so desperate to tie him down to a new long-term contract.
After a painful conclusion to last summer’s Euros, in which Mikel Arteta has described was “great for his career”, Saka has bounced back and fired on all cylinders so far this campaign, hitting back at his racist critics and proving once again why he is indeed one of Europe’s most prestigious young footballers right now.
In fact, we’d go so far as to say Saka is currently the best young player in the English Premier League. We really can’t bat an eyelid at this strong claim. His sumptuous individual performance against Watford at the weekend underlined is undisputed qualities.
It’s true, history tells us we can’t afford to hype up our young British talents any more than we have been, but when a player is performing as stunning and complete as this, you can’t help but heap such lofty praise.
No player under the age of 21 has been directly involved in more goals than Saka this season (8 goals, 5 assists), and his goal and assist at Vicarage Road in an entertaining 3-2 triumph lifted Arsenal into fourth spot in the table.
If you stretch the field further to Europe’s top five leagues, then only Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz (7 goals, 10 assists) has more combined goals and assists than Saka this season.
Players of such sublime skill and quality deserve to be playing Champions League football, and both of these flawless young talents have yet to step foot in Europe’s flagship club competition. Maybe, just maybe that will change come the end of this season.
If Saka continues to play to the level that he did at Watford on Sunday then it won’t be long until he is rubbing shoulders with the continent’s best on a regular basis.
Arsenal now sit fourth in the Premier League, a point ahead of Manchester United, who have played three more matches than the Gunners.
With 13 games remaining this season, Arsenal have moved firmly into pole position for the final Champions League spot.
Arteta will no doubt urge caution, and with games against Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United approaching, there is still lots of work to be done before the celebrations can begin. But Arsenal are on a resurgent run of form right now, with much of their football matching the kind of quality they possess in such a young and vibrant squad.
Bukayo Saka is the face of this new and exciting revolution at the Emirates, and Arteta is backing him to a tilt.
“I think Bukayo had an experience in the summer that not a lot of players would ever have and I think it was great for his career, because the football world showed how much they like him and how much they respect him,” said Mikel Arteta.
“That’s another thing you get much more than that in football apart from winning trophies, so I think that was a big boost for him to realise in difficult moments that people are going to give him support and the club did exactly the same as his team-mates.”
That penalty miss against Italy at Wembley last summer will have haunted any player, but Saka has consummately shrugged off that setback and has never looked back. Arteta in his pre-match comments, urged his team to show a “killer instinct” and no one followed those orders more expressly than Saka.
"He's made one and scored one!" 💪
Bukayo Saka puts Arsenal back in front against Watford with a clinical finish 🎯 pic.twitter.com/89ffLWp8Xx
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 6, 2022
This was not the controlled performance Arsenal demonstrated against Wolves last time out, but it was a ruthless and clinical one. They ended the game with four shots on target and three of those were goals. All three goals were simply mesmeric, including Saka’s and Arsenal’s second.
It was all his own work, possessing the tenacity and resilience to dispossess an unalert Tom Cleverley, before playing a lovely one-touch move with Alexandre Lacazette highlighting the 20-year-old’s incredible knack to make something of nothing, before burying an unbelievable shot into the top corner, no chance for Ben Foster.
A special goal from a special player. One brimming with confidence, style, assuredness and a maturity that is belying his years. The way he dribbles past his markers, links up with the likes of Ødegaard and Smith-Rowe, his courageousness, bravery and unbelievable consistency always marks him out amongst his peers. The 20-year-old ranks sixth in the division for shot-creating actions (90), and eighth for progressive carries (180), as well as averaging 1.9 key passes per 90, highlighting he is one of the best in the division, for his efforts and influence in the attacking third.
Saka was at the heart of all Arsenal’s goals against Watford, highlighting his huge influence on this Arsenal side. He is the main man, the heartbeat alongside Martin Ødegaard. The combination between both of them for the opener was pure Arsenal football at its finest. The third, just as good. Saka taking a quick throw which resulted in a slick move that Gabriel Martinelli emphatically finished.
I knew he was good. The talent is obvious. But it's not until I really focus in on the strengths, gather a ton of clips, look at the numbers, put everything into context, do I see how special he is. Saka is right up there.
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) March 6, 2022
Arsenal’s success this season has largely been down to their young players and it is fitting they are rising to the occasion as the pressure mounts with every passing week. The Gunners have scored 41 Premier League goals this term; 29 of them have been scored by players 23 or under.
Saka was excellent at Vicarage Road but was so Odegaard, and the pair’s relationship is growing every week.
Then there is Emile Smith Rowe, who missed yesterday’s match after testing positive for Covid-19. Saka is leading the way for goals and assists by Premier League players under the age of 21, but Smith Rowe is second to him and ahead of Phil Foden. Martinelli is fifth on that list.
It all points to a bright future for Arsenal, but suddenly they have the chance to make the present just as exciting.
After a miserable start to the season, losing their opening three Premier League games, Champions League football is within Arsenal’s grasp – and that is exactly where the qualities and brilliance of Bukayo Saka belongs.
Finally, we are seeing Emile Smith-Rowe given the opportunity his tremendous and unique abilities demanded, and he, his club and manager are duly reaping the rewards.
Mikel Arteta has got be given credit for providing him the platform, moulding and fine-tuning the youngster’s game, allowing him the freedom and room to express himself.
Smith-Rowe’s game over during the calendar year has massively improved, not only in his goal output – which we’ll come too soon – but his intelligence and understanding of where to be, where to operate effectively within the final third as Arsenal’s main source of creativity has come on leaps and bounds.
ESR is now almost the complete attacking midfield package, with more maturing and refining to come which in actual fact is quite frightening.
If you can remember during last summer when many were calling for Mikel Arteta to recruit an elite-level number-10, one who can provide Arsenal with the invention and imagination in the final third.
They went on and bought Martin Ødegaard permanently after his successful loan spell at the Emirates last season, with Emile Smith-Rowe was attracting much interest elsewhere as Aston Villa placed a £25million pound bid for his services.
You’ve got to wonder what might have been had Arsenal decided to sell the youngster, but they dared not to, and Smith-Rowe is showing the Arsenal fanbase that he is indeed the man to drive Arteta’s ever-improving squad to the next level. The 21-year-old has been so good that Ødegaard can barely get an opportunity in the Arsenal XI.
10 games unbeaten in all competitions now for Arsenal after their recent Premier League win over Watford before the November international break, and it was ESR’s moment of brilliance – albeit controversially – that broke the deadlock and rewarded them their third win a row, and third win in their last 5 games in the top-flight.
This sumptuous and uniquely gifted performer has arguably been the mastermind behind Arsenal’s recent renaissance. With his sweeping finish against Watford at the Emirates Stadium, ESR bagged his fifth goal in eight appearances, matching and beating his total for the whole of last season, just only couple months into the current campaign.
It was only right Gareth Southgate called him up to the England squad as a result, despite only getting in because of injuries to Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and James Ward-Prowse. However, Smith-Rowe’s form has been damn-near impossible to ignore. This is a player on top of his game and his goal contributions so far this campaign only tell half the story.
The academy graduate was challenged to contribute more goals by Mikel Arteta during his breakthrough campaign, a season where he hardly got a look in because of Martin Ødegaard’s increasing influence in Arsenal’s attack. But now, a few months on and Arsenal are a much better unit, a more free-flowing and exciting attacking side with Smith-Rowe at the heart of it, and that is a testament to the 21 year-old’s stunning development in such a short space of time.
Four goals and two assists in the Premier League so far, giving him the highest combined G+A total amongst the Arsenal camp so far this season, a tremendous stat for him to chew on. Smith-Rowe has been instrumental, embracing the responsibility of taking on the coveted no.10 shirt after signing a new contract in July.
Emile Smith Rowe has now been directly involved (goals + assists) in six goals in the Premier League since the start of September, more than any other English player.
6 goals – Smith Rowe 5 goals – Vardy 4 goals – Mount, Foden, Townsend, R James, Gallagher, Bowen
Together with Bukayo Saka, Kieran Tierney, new impressive recruits Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale, he has come to symbolize and represent this exciting and progressive chapter that Mikel Arteta is overseeing at the Emirates.
Smith-Rowe’s development which has accelerated this term is a result of all his hard work, application, maturity and meticulous attention to detail when working on his own game behind the scenes.
The regularly acclaimed “Croydon De Bruyne” has superbly grown into one of the most accomplished attacking midfielders in the Premier League.
Against Watford, the 21-year-old recorded 43 touches, finished with a pass success rate of 96%, delivered six crosses, made three ball recoveries, and registered two shots. His goal also meant that he is now one of four Arsenal players to have scored in three straight PL games before their 22nd birthday, after former players Nicolas Anelka, Jose Antonio Reyes and Cesc Fabregas – not a bad list to be amongst.
Towards the end of last season, Emile Smith-Rowe sat down with management and the people close to him to see how he can further enhance his game in the final third. It was highlighted that others in his position, such as Jack Grealish, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes, typically average between two to three shots per 90 minutes.
Smith-Rowe, by contrast, was only recording 0.8 shots per 90. However, there has been an intentional and concerted effort to change those numbers. He has heavily focused on his ability to get into the opposition box more, attempting to develop a better understanding of when to shoot rather than pass, and that was highlighted in his goal against Watford.
His improvement in those areas has been nothing short excellent. In 11 appearances so far in the Premier League, ESR has already taken more shots than he did in 20 outings last season. Crucially, they have come from much better positions, giving a greater chance of finding the back of the net. That is not down to luck, its down to Smith-Rowe’s willingness to learn, to improve and his determination to execute his attempts.
With the help of Arteta and his staff, Smith-Rowe has improved the timing of his runs and developed a knack of ghosting into the opposition box untracked by defenders.
Those unique qualities are highlighted in his recent goals against Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup, all of which were dispatched fist time from the centre of the 18-yard-box as seen in the image above. Much of this, is a result of the increasing freedom and room to express himself that has been handed to Smith-Rowe, and he is repaying that faith with fantastic aplomb.
Last season, he averaged 0.12 goals, 0.81 shots, 0.37 shots on target, 2.86 touches in the opposition box and 0.62 dribbles per 90 minutes.
This season those numbers have dramatically increased, he’s averaging 0.33 goals, 1.5 shots, 1.0 shots on target, 3.13 touches in the opposition box and 1.8 dribbles per 90 minutes. ESR is more well-rounded in his approach, much more meticulous and composed as well as becoming so devastatingly effective, seasoned creators like Bruno Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne would be mightily impressed.
Also, his influence around the final third is shining through also, and hopefully providing he stays fit and healthy for much of this campaign, these numbers will only increase even further. Per 90 minutes, he is averaging 1.41 key passes, 1.92 final third passes and 1.41 passes into the opposition box. To cap it off, Smith-Rowe averages 2.73 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, already an improvement of his 2.69 average for the whole of last campaign.
If that doesn’t highlight his improvement in the final third, then what will?
The youngster may be seeing less of the ball this season, his touches per 90 dropping from 57.9 last season to 49.2 in the new campaign, but he is certainly doing more with it. There is an increased emphasis on his effectiveness on games. Where once he was more inclined to simply pass the ball to a teammate, now he’s more brave and courageous in carrying the ball forward and driving his team up the pitch.
Seriously, it is a phenomenal sight to behold.
Smith-Rowe’s dribbling numbers have rapidly increased even more than his shots on goal. He is averaging 2.1 successful take-ons per90 minutes which is nearly four times higher than it was last season and puts him at a similar level to dribble-kings Grealish, Mohamed Salah and Raheem Sterling. He records the 7th best progressive carries per 90 (7.27) and is also improving on his carries into the final third with an average of 3.33 compared to 1.81 last season.
It’s these sort of numbers that show Emile Smith-Rowe is getting better as a footballer and performer. Every time he gets the ball in those dangerous areas, Arsenal fans immediately rise up to their feet. The Emirates’ new number 10 is a showstopper, arguably the main event of an impressively growing unit under Arteta.
What’s scary is, ESR can only get better which means Arsenal will only get better and that spells good news for the Gunners faithful despite their struggles in the first few weeks of the season. The 21-year-old is influential in every phase of his game, even in his defending. He averages 3.84 successful pressures per90, meaning he is contributing to Arsenal’s pressing game with such efficient and effective energy. He doesn’t shy away from the doing the dirty work from the front, 1.62 tackles + interceptions to show for his efforts.
Smith-Rowe’s recent progress is down to a number of factors but he has certainly benefitted from an uninterrupted pre-season – a luxury he did not have in preparation for the previous two campaigns. He’s always been dedicated in terms of his approach and application but in recent months he has reaped the rewards of paying closer attention to his nutrition in order to become the complete athlete.
You can see that in his performances on the pitch, his concentration, his energy, game-intelligence and influence when Arsenal need him most. It’s no wonder why he’s received such stark praise from his manager and pundits alike. Smith-Rowe is certainly amongst the most promising young performers in the country and these past few months have proved just that.
He is indeed the come-of-age young baller with the Midas touch.
The new Premier League season kicks off this weekend, and Arsenal still haven’t addressed their pressing need of acquiring an elite attacking midfielder armed in providing them with the creative abilities to take their game under Mikel Arteta to the next level.
Their pre-season friendly defeat to rivals Tottenham Hotspur was a game which showed a lot of promise, especially the new signings Ben White and Albert Sambi Lokonga who both put in dominant and assured performances as they continue the acclimatization into their new surroundings.
(Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
However, it was a game which looked all to familiar for Arsenal’s supporters, a lot of nice intricate passing around the final third without some real penetration to complement it. Emile Smith-Rowe has been a lovely sight for Arsenal fans, and a welcome one too. A very talented and fresh addition straight from the academy, but he cannot be relied upon to drive Arsenal into that brand new era, its too much responsibility and weight on his shoulders.
Both he and Bukayo Saka need help in those areas.
How the Gunners need the qualities of Mesut Ozil (in his prime), Cesc Fabregas or even Santi Cazorla again, players who were blessed in creating the unthinkable.
You hand them the ball in those dangerous areas, and its as if time stands still. That’s what Mikel Arteta needs right now, its what Arsenal need in order to challenge for those top four places again, or to go even further.
Arsenal are arguably in the same position Manchester United were before January 2020, lacking that incision and precision in the final third before they went out and ferociously addressed that burning desire, signing Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon. Since then, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s fortunes as Manchester United boss has dramatically changed – they’re on the upward curve.
Mikel Arteta needs to go out do the same, regardless of the potential risk and cost. Leicester City’s James Maddison is reportedly a top target, however Brendan Rodgers is in no pressure to sell and it would take in the regions of £70m to prize him away from the King Power.
Since James Maddison made his Premier League debut, only Kevin De Bruyne has created more chances in the competition:
🥇 De Bruyne [252] 🥈 Maddison [230] 🥉 Alexander-Arnold [212]
It is a costly risk, one which could very much address Arsenal’s pressing need. Maddison is indeed one of the Premier League’s most reliable creators, especially in those final third areas, as shown above. But, Leicester City are unlikely to sell one of their most prized assets, especially so close to the start of the new season, and without a readied replacement.
Alternatives will need to be considered at the Emirates, quality ones too. So here’s a few cheaper, more attainable and arguably more acquired tastes that could blend in with Arsenal’s game perfectly:
Daichi Kamada, EintrachtFrankfurt
Arguably the best performing Asian footballer in Europe over the past year. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Japanese magician Daichi Kamada is a stunning footballer, an efficient workhorse and a creative maestro.
Have a look at Frankfurt’s attacks and you’ll see how pivotal Kamada is, he is at the centre of almost everything.
His movement, the positions he picks up, the space he occupies and the passes he delivers is simply sublime and a testament to his extraordinary understanding and nous when it comes to creating chances for his teammates.
The Japanese international may be something of an unknown quantity to some Arsenal supporters, but he’s a player who currently deserves some rich acclaim and attention right now.
5 goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga last season, as Frankfurt narrowly missed out on an unprecedented Champions League place on the last day of the season. However, it was a stunning campaign for the club and for Kamada personally, and the Japanese is sure to be on a number of top club’s list of targets this summer.
Mikel Arteta would do exceptionally well to consider targeting the source of Frankfurt’s goals.
Daichi Kamada moment of magic and brilliance vs Hertha Berlin was a joy to watch. Andre Silva gave a finish worthy of the move. Happy 25th birthday to the Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder. pic.twitter.com/1Is6jqjVdb
Kamada is one of those players who manages to be technically impressive without being flamboyant. Carries the ball neatly, with some sumptuous little touches and swift shifts in direction, and he exploits passing angles and lanes in the attacking third in a way that’s so clever, intricate but unusual.
He’s a unique player, and another one who deserves to test himself at the highest level. 2.90 final third passes, 1.8 key passes and an astonishing 4.05 shot-creating actions per 90 highlights his incredible efficiency and effectiveness in the final third. Kamada has so much to offer, not only in his skill, tenaciousness and technical qualities but in his application and willingness to learn and improve.
Lorenzo Pellegrini, AS Roma
Yet another uniquely gifted midfielder who surprisingly still graces the Stadio Olimpico.
Lorenzo Pellegrini is a Champions League-quality midfielder, who deserves to be playing at the highest level for one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs. It’s a shocking surprise that no top club in Europe has managed to trigger his relatively low release clause which stands at around €30million.
Lorenzo Pellegrini would represent an outstanding acquisition for Mikel Arteta simply because of his devastating abilities in the final third. Pellegrini is a creative magician, a technically savvy orchestrator.
The 25-year old would be Arsenal’s very own ‘Bruno Fernandes-type signing’. A player who will fit in swiftly and seamlessly without no bedding-in period, without no teething issues because he is simply that intelligent, classy and decisive.
Traditionally an attacking midfielder, Lorenzo Pellegrini holds all the tools necessary to play anywhere across the midfield. As a deep-lying no.6, a roaming no. 8 and a play-making, creative no.10.
In Paulo Fonseca’s system, he played the attacking midfield role, as a no.10 in their 4-2-3-1 shape or 3-4-2-1, operating just behind Edin Dzeko.
This role allowed him to become the team’s main source of creativity and a hub in which every attacking player can link with. While teams in the current age, have their main creative hubs in the deep-lying positions in front of the defence, Roma’s orchestrator is Lorenzo Pellegrini at no.10.
As well as possessing the qualities to perform in a traditional no.10 role, he’s a more unorthodox attacking midfielder, regularly drifting into the wide areas or half-spaces. It keeps defensive midfielders and the back-line guessing, also causing a state of disruption and panic in their defensive shape.
Arsenal regularly deploy the 4-2-3-1 shape, in which Pellegrini could easily slot in behind the lone frontman. It could well mean Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns to the role up-front, simply because of Pellegrini’s superb ability to pick the unthinkable eye-of-the-needle passes.
The Italian would have been another key figure for European Champions Italy this summer had he not picked up an injury just before the tournament got underway, but he’s a player many cannot ignore.
2.18 key passes, 3.98 final third passes, 4.36 progressive passes and 1.42 passes into the 18-yard box per 90 just highlights Pellegrini’s astonishing abilities to dissect opposition defences at will. A no-brainer acquisition for Arsenal.
Houssem Aouar, Lyon
How Houssem Aouar is not on Arsenal’s list of priorities to fill that no.10 position is simply baffling, even to the Arsenal faithful. It may well be in part because of his latest disciplinary issues at Lyon, however, it is clear the player desires a new challenge elsewhere and Lyon are indeed resigned to losing him in the the near future.
It is an opportunity Arsenal cannot afford to pass up on. Houssem Aouar is a player blessed with such extraordinary technical qualities.
A meticulous ball-player, harnessing the uniqueness of when to hold on to the ball, and when to release it. His amazing sense of gravity and close control means its difficult for his markers to have an understanding of where he’s going or when to dispossess him.
Mikel Arteta craves a player who goes about performing risks in the final third, or taking people on to create space for himself and his forwards. Aouar possesses those unique qualities. He averaged 7.00 progressive carries and 2.47 carries into the final third last season, better than all of Arsenal’s attacking options.
The midfielder also holds such fantastic spatial awareness and capacity to switch directions in an instant. If he finds there’s nowhere to go when dribbling, he’ll instantly change direction with a swift drop of the shoulder and such crisp close control.
Whenever, the ball is at Aouar’s feet, his teammates know something special is about to happen especially within the attacking third. Per 90 last season, he averaged 6 passes into the final third meaning he plays risky passes with such considerable regularity. Stats serving as a true indication as to his incredible expertise in creating chances, further shown through his 5.10 shot-creating actions per90 too.
The 23-year-old only recorded three assists in Ligue 1 last year which is very surprising considering his invention and imagination in the final third, but he’s importance and influence in those areas for Lyon were very stark.
As soon as he picks up the ball, he already has a picture of what he’s going to do, whether to dribble past opponents, or dissect an eye of the needle pass to his forwards. No matter the amount of opponents around him, Aouar holds the balance, silky footwork and quickness of thought required to conjure up magic despite being under pressure.
His ball-carrying capabilities could prove vital to Arsenal’s system, allowing them to get out of trouble but most importantly in creating opportunities and openings in the final third.
Houssem Aouar is also a meticulous and imaginative number 8, and if 4-3-3 really is Arteta’s preferred formation then the French international will potentially fit in seamlessly.
Marcel Sabitzer, RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig’s new coach Jesse Marsch admitted that midfield dynamo Marcel Sabitzer’s future will lie away from Leipzig in the near future, and considering the price the Austrian is currently valued at, Arsenal would do very very well in recruiting his services.
The 26-year-old is available for a cut-price deal at just €18million, an extraordinary bargain, and whoever captures him could well be rewarded with the ‘smartest buy of the summer’ gong.
Marcel Sabitzer is a wonderful midfield performer, but a very orthodox one. To the eye, he’s your regular midfielder who is energetic, technically very good and has a good eye for the pass, but what stands him out so well is that he performs such roles with great application, professionalism and a real cutting edge that even the best teams on the continent would kill for.
He’s very versatile, capable of playing at no.10. at no.8, as a no.6 or even as a left-winger. Sabitzer is so good to watch. No matter where you put him on the pitch, he’ll give you his best.
Capable of cutting defences with such unerring vigour and precision, also capable of running at defences, linking well with his teammates and also holds the unique qualities of picking out the top-corner from all of about 35-yards. He is a jack-of-all-trades type player, and its no wonder new Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is so desperate to reunite with him, after possessing his qualities for Leipzig.
Not only will be brilliant for Bayern Munich, who also desperately need his services but he’d be brilliant for Mikel Arteta. He’s very cheap, attainable and arguably a better player than James Maddison – more consistent in fact. The midfielder averaged 5.38 passes into the final third per90 despite playing in a variety of positions under Nagelsmann, but that owes to his tremendous technical acumen in creating chances no matter where he is on the pitch. Sabitzer also averaged 2.13 passes into the 18-yard box and an outstanding 7.07 progressive passes per 90.
He is not afraid in conjuring up the most outrageous, if you need any evidence, just check out his extraordinary assist for Austria at the Euros, setting up Stefan Lainer with a ridiculous long-raking pass.
It’s that sort of audaciousness in the final third that Arsenal so desperately crave.
Carlos Soler, Valencia
Mikel Arteta will almost certainly be silly if he doesn’t try and recruit a player who is his splitting image on the pitch; Valencia’s Carlos Soler.
Valencia’s creative orchestrator has been due a big move for a long while and Soler is a player ready for the big leagues.
The club are in a bit of a free-fall right now both on the pitch and off it, and are reportedly willing to listen to offers for some of their big names at cut-price deals.
If that is indeed the case, Arsenal should roll the dice and prioritize the signing of Carlos Soler. A tremendously consistent performer, even if his club isn’t registering the points they need.
It’s clear Soler deserves a club who matches his qualities and ambitions. He’s simply too good a player to not be performing on the biggest stages in Europe, whether that is Europa League or the UEFA Champions League.
Despite Valencia’s struggles last season, Soler still managed an astonishing 11 goals and 8 assists in La Liga highlighting his significance to the team, but also his extraordinary abilities.
A wonderfully gifted midfielder who always gives his all in every match he’s involved in. Soler is incredibly versatile too, capable of playing at no.10, no.8 on the flanks and a deep-lying orchestrator, he’d offer so much variation and tactical flexibility when needed.
Soler is as creative as all of the names on this list, providing eight assists last year. He is simply a superb player to watch, and has been on Arsenal’s radar before. He outperformed his expected goals and expected assists, as well as providing 0.26 assists per 90 minutes which means he is one of Europe’s most consistent creators. 1.45 key passes and 5.20 final third passes only highlights his efficiency and nous in those dangerous areas.
Where Valencia would be without Carlos Soler is a matter for another day, but it is about time he moves on from the Mestalla and embarks on a new challenge elsewhere.
Arsenal could certainly prove the most telling environment for him to thrive in.
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