Transfermania is now really here and it looks like it will be a busy summer for Arsenal.
The windows have not yet been officially opened, so Mikel Arteta’s side is reportedly locked up in the seriously impressive signature of Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad.
However, the Spaniards will definitely improve their teams, but the area of teams that require reinforcement is attacking on both the left and the left side.
One name that has been linked to the gunners in the past few days was Bayern Munich star Leroy Sané. He will be available free of charge, but based on recent reports, the board has now identified another international as a priority for its position.
Arsenal winger search
The right side of Arsenal appears to have been set for years thanks to Buka Yosaka and the young Ethan Nuwaneri, but the future on the left is far more uncertain and we have seen the club link to some incredibly talented wingers in recent weeks and months, like Deisenmeda and Jamie Gittens.
The former may not be the name of many wish lists, but with a reported £25 million, he has Japan’s International scored 33 goals and provided 12 assists, providing a sensational average every 1.13 games, like his 51 appearances this season.
Meanwhile, the Gitens, which costs around £46 million, are not that prolific, earning 12 goals and five assists in 48 games, but as he’s only 20 years old, the club will buy him what he can do.
However, there is another name that has since last summer, followed by North Londoner Nico Williams.
According to a recent report from The Mail Online, Arsenal maintained a strong interest in the athletic Bilbao Star and made it a “priority” target for left-wing positions.
The story doesn’t mention the price, but countless reports from the past few weeks and months have confirmed that the 22-year-old Dynamo has a £50 million release clause in his current contract.
While it’s a costly transfer to get past the line, Williams has proven he’s one of the most exciting attackers of the year, and he’ll be a much better addition to the team than Sane.
How Williams compares to Sane
So, both internationals can actually play with either wing, but I feel that it is impossible for either one to replace the Saka on the right.
Now, if we start by looking at the raw output from the last two seasons, it’s Williams to take charge.
For example, since the launch of the 23/24 campaign, the “world-class” Spaniard, dubbed by journalist Zach Lowy, has scored 19 goals and provided 25 assists in 82 appearances.
Williams vs. Thane | ||
---|---|---|
23/24 | Williams | sanity |
exterior | 37 | 42 |
the goal | 8 | 10 |
assist | 18 | 13 |
Involvement of goals for each match | 0.70 | 0.54 |
24/25 | Williams | sanity |
exterior | 45 | 45 |
the goal | 11 | 13 |
assist | 7 | 6 |
Involvement of goals for each match | 0.40 | 0.42 |
All statistics through the transfer market |
In contrast, Sane scored 23 goals and provided 19 assists in 87 appearances, which is undoubtedly impressive, but with a worse average of goal involvement every 2.07 games.
What about the fundamental numbers for the past two seasons? Looking under the hood, which winger will appear on top?
Unfortunately for the former Manchester City star, like most relevant indicators, it’s his young competitor who will come out first here, taking the crown.
In addition to non-penalty goals, these metrics include assists, progressive carry, shots and shots per target, crossing to penalty area, shot and goal creation actions, tackles, blocks, successful take-ons, ball recovery, and more, all around 90.
Williams vs. Thane | ||
---|---|---|
Statistics per 90 | Williams | sanity |
Non-comprehensive Goals + Assist | 0.64 | 0.62 |
Progressive Pass | 2.97 | 4.00 |
Progressive Carry | 5.70 | 4.49 |
Goals per shot | 0.12 | 0.11 |
Goals for each target shot | 0.32 | 0.27 |
Accuracy passing | 71.2% | 81.2% |
Move to the penalty area | 1.72 | 1.92 |
Crossing to the penalty area | 0.62 | 0.16 |
Shot creation action | 5.05 | 4.86 |
Goal Creation Action | 0.73 | 0.63 |
Tackle | 1.09 | 1.07 |
block | 0.85 | 0.62 |
Intercept | 0.22 | 0.33 |
clearance | 0.32 | 0.11 |
A successful take-on | 3.33 | 2.96 |
Ball recovery | 4.71 | 4.41 |
A duel won | 0.38 | 0.23 |
All statistics via FBREF for the 23/24 and 24/25 seasons |
Finally, it is important to remember that in addition to having better output and fundamental numbers, Pamplona-born Ace is also a German junior, seven years old.
By contrast, he is set to turn 30 midway through next season, so it’s no surprise that Bayern’s star will begin to regress over the next few years.
In the end, both Williams and Thane are excellent players, but the former is significantly better and could develop further. Therefore, Arsenal should do everything he can to sign him this summer.
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