Report: Arsenal set to make a move for a £43m talent who possesses the ability to outshine Saka…

Opinion: Arsenal prepared to make a bid for a £43 million player who is deemed “capable of replacing Saka”.

Bukayo Saka enters the European Championships this summer after an exceptional season in attack. Despite not receiving the same individual recognition as his England teammate Phil Foden, the Arsenal prodigy proved to be a revelation. With 20 goals and 14 assists in the 2023/24 campaign, Saka emerged as the Gunners’ leading scorer.

However, the issue lies in the lack of alternatives on the right flank of Mikel Arteta’s attacking lineup. To address this concern, Arsenal is prepared to make a significant move for a £43m star who possesses the potential to surpass Saka’s impact.

Gabriel Jesus has been utilized on the right side in different matches this season, while Gabriel Martinelli took his place in the final victory against Everton as Saka was unavailable.

The concern arises from the fact that the 22-year-old has hardly had any rest this season and could benefit from some additional time off. It is crucial for Arsenal to secure some competition during the upcoming transfer window.

Arsenal’s transfer strategy for the summer.

Fortunately, it seems that the Gunners are looking to strengthen their options on the wings in the upcoming transfer window.

Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise has been linked with a move, and with Arsenal’s qualification for the Champions League, they are reportedly in pole position to secure his services.

According to Football Transfers, Arsenal has entered the race to sign Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, who is also being pursued by Chelsea, PSG, and Barcelona. The 21-year-old winger has a reported £43m release clause, which Arsenal’s Edu and Co are prepared to activate soon.

Comparison between Nico Williams and Bukayo Saka:

Nico Williams has predominantly played on the right side of the attack throughout his career. He has made 73 appearances on that flank, scoring 17 goals and providing 18 assists.

Consequently, he appears to be a strong contender to challenge Saka for a spot in Arteta’s starting lineup. Additionally, the Spanish player has a penchant for versatility, which is something Arteta values.

During the 2023/24 season, the Spanish international predominantly played as a left winger.

It was an impressive campaign for the Arsenal target, as he scored eight goals and provided an impressive 17 assists in all competitions.

Based on this evidence, it is clear that the Bilbao sensation excels in creating opportunities for his teammates rather than solely focusing on scoring goals. This is certainly a valuable trait to possess.

So, what other qualities does the £43m man bring to the table? Well, according to analyst Ben Mattinson, he would be the fastest player at the club if he were to join, highlighting his exceptional speed and two-footed ability as his greatest assets.

Arsenal’s attack could benefit from more speed. When Martinelli is not at his best or unavailable, the team struggles to counter effectively.

Williams could be the solution to this issue. But what do the statistics reveal?

Although Saka poses a greater threat in front of goal, Williams seems to excel in taking on defenders and beating them.

The amount of successful dribbles and runs he makes is remarkable. Considering how skilled Arsenal’s number 7 is in this aspect, it is quite impressive for a player in the same position to outperform him.

According to Mattinson, Williams has the potential to outshine Saka, and the stats support this claim.