Arsenal is currently in talks to secure the signing of “one of the finest players in the world,” who resembles Saka in style…

Arsenal is actively negotiating to sign “one of the elite players in the world,” who mirrors Saka in his approach to the game.

Arsenal is reportedly in discussions to acquire “one of the best players in the world,” who shares similarities with Bukayo Saka, according to expert opinion.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal has faced challenges this season, striving to keep pace with Manchester City in the title race without achieving any silverware thus far.

As the 2024/25 season progresses, the situation for the North London club appears to be deteriorating.

Currently positioned third in the Premier League, Arsenal trails league leaders Liverpool by six points, who also have a game in hand.

This scenario is undoubtedly frustrating for the Gunners as they approach the holiday season.

With the January transfer window approaching, Arsenal may be looking to bolster their squad with significant additions.

Arsenal’s interest in a LaLiga winger.

The player reportedly on Arsenal’s radar is Barcelona’s Raphinha, recognized as one of the top-performing wingers in Europe.

While it may seem unusual for Barcelona to part with such a vital player under Hansi Flick, ongoing financial difficulties could force their hand.

According to Graeme Bailey, Arsenal expressed interest in Raphinha during the summer and continues to communicate with intermediaries.

If an opportunity arises to finalize a deal in January, they may act swiftly.

However, Arsenal is not the only club pursuing the Brazilian talent. The report indicates that title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City are also keen on securing Raphinha, having shown interest last summer as well.

While the exact price for the winger remains unclear, Barcelona acquired him from Leeds for £55 million, suggesting that a potential sale could be in a similar range.

Nevertheless, Barcelona appears determined to retain Raphinha for the time being.

A comparison of Raphinha and Bukayo Saka.

The potential acquisition of the winger presents a significant opportunity for Arsenal, as the 28-year-old would undoubtedly elevate the overall quality of the team.

His performance for Barcelona in the current season has been remarkable, with 17 goals and 10 assists in 23 matches across all competitions.

This season, the winger has been excelling in the iconic Barcelona jersey.

Notably, among the top five leagues in Europe, only four players have recorded more combined goals and assists than he has, as reported by FBref.

These players include his teammate Robert Lewandowski with 18, as well as Omar Marmoush and Harry Kane, both with 20, and Mohamed Salah, who leads with 22.

It is clear that Raphinha would represent an improvement over Gabriel Martinelli, particularly when comparing their statistics this season.

Martinelli has had a disappointing campaign thus far, managing only four goals and three assists in 22 matches across all competitions.

His average of 0.31 goals and assists per game pales in comparison to Raphinha’s impressive 1.17. This difference could certainly be seen as a significant enhancement.

While Martinelli is experiencing a dip in form, Bukayo Saka is enjoying a strong season. The Arsenal winger has netted nine goals and provided 12 assists in 22 games, earning considerable acclaim.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry remarked on BBC Sport’s Football Focus that “the evolution of his game is outstanding.”

Interestingly, a statistical comparison between Raphinha and Saka reveals that both left-footed wingers possess strong creative passing abilities this season.

Raphinha averages 3.53 key passes per 90 minutes, while Saka follows closely with an average of 3.04 key passes.

Acquiring Raphinha would not only add another player capable of creating chances but also someone adept at generating goalscoring opportunities from various situations.

The Barcelona star averages 5.89 shot-creating actions and 0.96 goal-creating actions, slightly trailing Saka, who averages 6.43 shot-creating actions and 1.52 goal-creating actions.

Acquiring Raphinha appears to be a straightforward decision for Arsenal, provided the opportunity arises.

Former manager Xavi referred to him as “one of the best players in the world,” and his statistics certainly support that claim. The Brazilian could play a pivotal role in propelling the Gunners up the league standings.