Here's a new bullshit stat to rank dozens of potential winger (and hybrid attacker) signings for Arsenal. Analytics, dozens of player profiles, and more. (Plus, let's talk comps)
Hi Billy, another great piece! I love the acronyms, by the way 😅
I think Eze would be a shout for the L8 position (a replacement for ESR, basically), so even though he’s listed here, in my ideal world it would be him + a more traditional winger.
My preferred option is also Williams, but I don’t think it will be possible due to the reason you listed (his personal choices). I think that if we bring a winger, it will be Pedro Neto, hoping that with more rotation, his injuries can be better managed and avoided.
Love the new article! Random thought, where would past “unicorns” of certain profiles (in their primes) fit into this list?
Example:
Walcott (running threat in behind)
Adama Traore (running threat on the ball)
Taarabt (unique dribbler)
Reus (complete but never fulfilled potential)
Just thought it’d be fun to see how past players would compare in today’s market of players.
Note: none of my comparisons are “complete” wingers, in the CR7, Bale, Hazard , Neymar mould. Just players with decent output and high physical/technical ceilings.
Wow, a lot to read and worth the time. So, in return i also spend a bit of time to write the comments.
I agree wholeheartedly on each type of compilation and the use of it as a way to analyze the player.
In my experience, some comp just didn't represent what i want to see the player do on a given situation.
Case in point is the infamous Pepe compilation. what I usually want to see from a comp is what can the players do when in a situation similar to Arsenal.
How does he problem solving when he comes up with a high press, double teamed, etc.
What usually comes in compilation is just a snippet of when it comes off and worse of all cut out just when the player beat a guy without knowing what happened after it.
Is he then dribble out, get tackled or press, misplaced passed, or passed to an under pressure teammates, we don't know.
On the players itself. I would say Nico should be put above the list and get Eze as number 1. I understand because of our link to him so you must have been inclined to put him in the list to analyze him.
I don't have the inclination though and just like the 11 player on the list, I felt Nico is as much as unachievable as those players.
I agree on the why not of him, and just like every good dribbler, he could frustrate when he failed to beat a man. When your expectation is for him to beat a man for fun, the occasional loses felt more heavy.
The players that i want most is actually Kvara. We are being linked with him a year before, and he seems to be underrated courtesy of Napoli bad season.
His numbers are good, he still does a lot of good things but some people thinks he is declining or one hit wonder.
With the stock somewhat low and his agent want him to move from Napoli, there's as much chance of us buying him as us buying Nico. Slim but could happen if the star aligned.
Realistically, Eze could be the most probable with as close an output as Kvara, his PL experience and his history with Arsenal might clinched it. I wish he still 22-23 though.
Surprisingly, I like Jack Clarke too. Especially with his background and history. I wish he is cheap, but if he comes to Arsenal he will be like Martinelli who should be competing with our new first choice winger.
I really like Xavi Simons, but sadly he seems to be going to Bayern.
There's seems to be a pattern in the article that you're not too fancy about player that might compete with Odegaard and Saka.
I actually think player like Simons or Kudus should be acquired if we can. They don't have to displace Odegaard or Saka but they just competent enough that if one of them has a problem, we can put these players to cover for them.
Which makes getting Doue who can also put in a various position, as one of the opportunity not to be missed.
Imagine a Tomiyasu like players but for midfield and winger position.
Lastly, I should mention that I also like Omar Marmoush. He is the one who outshine Salah in Egypt.
I put him as alternative striker/winger we could go for if our money run out for a markee winger or midfielder.
I'm interested on what he could do next season. He could either up his output in a better team or be a consistent performer in a midtable team like Nico Gonzales at Fiorentina.
My wish for us to compete with Man City, is getting Kvara for the winger, Gyokeres for the striker, a loan for Simons, Joao Neves for midfield, Calafiori for the defence and Valles for GK.
I know it's unrealistic, that's why it's a wish. But just getting two of them would be a big boost, in my opinion.
The price would probably be too high, and it’s extremely unlikely for other reasons, but I think Rashford might experience an even bigger renaissance than Kai if he were to come to Arsenal.
Probably fantasy but I wonder if we could snatch Rashford on Loan, with an option to buy if it works.
If United want him out then even getting his Wages off the books for a year + a fee could save them £15m in wages (assuming 300k a week) + and net them loan fee £10M
Billy, fantastic article, and always happy to read as long an article as you have time to write. curious on your thoughts as to what the heck we want that left-side #8 role to be more generally. Do we need it be someone who's defensively responsible with accurate passing and clever positioning to help counter-pressing and progress the ball while not being a 1v1 threat creator (Xhaka), or do we think we can actually slot a more explosive wing-profile player who's more offensively-minded, brings a different dimension than Odegaard, but has defensive liabilities and wouldn't be as progressive as another profile? I think we were all hoping that ESR would become the latter, but is there still room for it in this system? Or do you think Rice slots in there to win balls higher up? I think it's our biggest question mark, and obviously influences this conversation as to what Arteta even wants out of a position that seems adrift in this system post-Xhaka.
Man, this was such a good & comprehensive read. I did wince a bit seeing Rashford so high up, but he does feel like Kai 2.0 in terms of a project that could pay massive dividends...
Xavi Simons might be my #1 choice when factoring in price and such. He's just so talented and could see him thriving in a few different roles at Arsenal. Désiré Doué is so exciting too, but maybe a little too unproven depending on the level we're targeting here. And if it's more of a proven, super sub type, I'd love to raid Brighton again for Mitoma personally.
How Edu/Arteta approach upgrading the frontline will be fascinating to follow. Very curious if they eventually follow the Man City approach of just go get an elite, traditional striker vs. maybe a more unconventional structure to bring out the best in Saka, Ode, etc.
I’m surprised you view Tel as someone who can play on the wings. Haven’t watched him, but based on how he has been described I always assumed he would be a pure striker. Given his sky-high potential and the lack of a clear cut other option, maybe he’s the one we should spring for.
He can play the wings. He has the TH14 versatility. It'd simply be a question of HOW you're asking him to play the position. Every player does it differently.
Based on recent developments, do you think Arsenal should have been chasing Juve for Chiesa? Honestly feel a little envious of Liverpool - he seems like a perfect "stopgap" winger..
Billy: ‘We’ve got our longest read yet’
Sickos: hahahaha YES
Hi Billy, another great piece! I love the acronyms, by the way 😅
I think Eze would be a shout for the L8 position (a replacement for ESR, basically), so even though he’s listed here, in my ideal world it would be him + a more traditional winger.
My preferred option is also Williams, but I don’t think it will be possible due to the reason you listed (his personal choices). I think that if we bring a winger, it will be Pedro Neto, hoping that with more rotation, his injuries can be better managed and avoided.
Keep up the great work, Billy!
Love the new article! Random thought, where would past “unicorns” of certain profiles (in their primes) fit into this list?
Example:
Walcott (running threat in behind)
Adama Traore (running threat on the ball)
Taarabt (unique dribbler)
Reus (complete but never fulfilled potential)
Just thought it’d be fun to see how past players would compare in today’s market of players.
Note: none of my comparisons are “complete” wingers, in the CR7, Bale, Hazard , Neymar mould. Just players with decent output and high physical/technical ceilings.
Wow, a lot to read and worth the time. So, in return i also spend a bit of time to write the comments.
I agree wholeheartedly on each type of compilation and the use of it as a way to analyze the player.
In my experience, some comp just didn't represent what i want to see the player do on a given situation.
Case in point is the infamous Pepe compilation. what I usually want to see from a comp is what can the players do when in a situation similar to Arsenal.
How does he problem solving when he comes up with a high press, double teamed, etc.
What usually comes in compilation is just a snippet of when it comes off and worse of all cut out just when the player beat a guy without knowing what happened after it.
Is he then dribble out, get tackled or press, misplaced passed, or passed to an under pressure teammates, we don't know.
On the players itself. I would say Nico should be put above the list and get Eze as number 1. I understand because of our link to him so you must have been inclined to put him in the list to analyze him.
I don't have the inclination though and just like the 11 player on the list, I felt Nico is as much as unachievable as those players.
I agree on the why not of him, and just like every good dribbler, he could frustrate when he failed to beat a man. When your expectation is for him to beat a man for fun, the occasional loses felt more heavy.
The players that i want most is actually Kvara. We are being linked with him a year before, and he seems to be underrated courtesy of Napoli bad season.
His numbers are good, he still does a lot of good things but some people thinks he is declining or one hit wonder.
With the stock somewhat low and his agent want him to move from Napoli, there's as much chance of us buying him as us buying Nico. Slim but could happen if the star aligned.
Realistically, Eze could be the most probable with as close an output as Kvara, his PL experience and his history with Arsenal might clinched it. I wish he still 22-23 though.
Surprisingly, I like Jack Clarke too. Especially with his background and history. I wish he is cheap, but if he comes to Arsenal he will be like Martinelli who should be competing with our new first choice winger.
I really like Xavi Simons, but sadly he seems to be going to Bayern.
There's seems to be a pattern in the article that you're not too fancy about player that might compete with Odegaard and Saka.
I actually think player like Simons or Kudus should be acquired if we can. They don't have to displace Odegaard or Saka but they just competent enough that if one of them has a problem, we can put these players to cover for them.
Which makes getting Doue who can also put in a various position, as one of the opportunity not to be missed.
Imagine a Tomiyasu like players but for midfield and winger position.
Lastly, I should mention that I also like Omar Marmoush. He is the one who outshine Salah in Egypt.
I put him as alternative striker/winger we could go for if our money run out for a markee winger or midfielder.
I'm interested on what he could do next season. He could either up his output in a better team or be a consistent performer in a midtable team like Nico Gonzales at Fiorentina.
My wish for us to compete with Man City, is getting Kvara for the winger, Gyokeres for the striker, a loan for Simons, Joao Neves for midfield, Calafiori for the defence and Valles for GK.
I know it's unrealistic, that's why it's a wish. But just getting two of them would be a big boost, in my opinion.
Thanks again for the good read, Billy.
The price would probably be too high, and it’s extremely unlikely for other reasons, but I think Rashford might experience an even bigger renaissance than Kai if he were to come to Arsenal.
Probably fantasy but I wonder if we could snatch Rashford on Loan, with an option to buy if it works.
If United want him out then even getting his Wages off the books for a year + a fee could save them £15m in wages (assuming 300k a week) + and net them loan fee £10M
Hell yeah Billy. With Olise off the board it's Nico or bust for me. Time to go big.
Billy, fantastic article, and always happy to read as long an article as you have time to write. curious on your thoughts as to what the heck we want that left-side #8 role to be more generally. Do we need it be someone who's defensively responsible with accurate passing and clever positioning to help counter-pressing and progress the ball while not being a 1v1 threat creator (Xhaka), or do we think we can actually slot a more explosive wing-profile player who's more offensively-minded, brings a different dimension than Odegaard, but has defensive liabilities and wouldn't be as progressive as another profile? I think we were all hoping that ESR would become the latter, but is there still room for it in this system? Or do you think Rice slots in there to win balls higher up? I think it's our biggest question mark, and obviously influences this conversation as to what Arteta even wants out of a position that seems adrift in this system post-Xhaka.
Man, this was such a good & comprehensive read. I did wince a bit seeing Rashford so high up, but he does feel like Kai 2.0 in terms of a project that could pay massive dividends...
Xavi Simons might be my #1 choice when factoring in price and such. He's just so talented and could see him thriving in a few different roles at Arsenal. Désiré Doué is so exciting too, but maybe a little too unproven depending on the level we're targeting here. And if it's more of a proven, super sub type, I'd love to raid Brighton again for Mitoma personally.
How Edu/Arteta approach upgrading the frontline will be fascinating to follow. Very curious if they eventually follow the Man City approach of just go get an elite, traditional striker vs. maybe a more unconventional structure to bring out the best in Saka, Ode, etc.
I’m surprised you view Tel as someone who can play on the wings. Haven’t watched him, but based on how he has been described I always assumed he would be a pure striker. Given his sky-high potential and the lack of a clear cut other option, maybe he’s the one we should spring for.
Yeah, there's the Kane effect but you can see how much he's played around here:
https://www.transfermarkt.com/mathys-tel/leistungsdaten/spieler/801734/plus/0?saison=2023
He can play the wings. He has the TH14 versatility. It'd simply be a question of HOW you're asking him to play the position. Every player does it differently.
Based on recent developments, do you think Arsenal should have been chasing Juve for Chiesa? Honestly feel a little envious of Liverpool - he seems like a perfect "stopgap" winger..