One of Arsenal’s top summer priorities is to sign another partner for Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice. Looking at transfer rumours, Mikel Merino is the odds-on favourite to head to the Emirates Stadium.
But what if I told you that Arsenal are interested in Wolves’ Joao Gomes, a 22 year-old midfielder who could complement their engine room perfectly?
According to journalist Valentin Furlan, in their search for the ideal midfielder, Wolves’ Joao Gomes has emerged as a player Arsenal is interested in.
Last season, the Brazilian was an unsung hero in the Premier League; while he did not make headlines, his stats say otherwise. Though he can play as a 6, he played primarily (31 times) as an 8 last season, as he firmly established himself in the Wolves’ engine room.
As compared to other Premier League midfielders (stats by FBREF), he ranks in the top 1% for tackles and tackles in the defensive third, the top 3% for tackles won, the top 5% for tackles in the middle third, dribblers challenged and tackles plus interceptions, the top 16% for passes blocked, and the top 17% for overall blocks, all per 90. Defensively, he could provide Arteta’s midfield with what Granit Xhaka did.
If Arsenal signs him, it might imply two things: he comes in and plays as an 8, and Rice as a 6. Despite Rice’s occasional bursts of brilliance as a box-to-box midfielder, he played 30 times as a No. 6, and it may not hurt him to continue to do so.
Arsenal’s engine room, with the Brazilian in the eight, Rice in the six, and the defence that produced the league’s greatest defence last season, would be difficult to beat.
Darren N
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