Arsenal are aiming to bolster their wing positions this summer.
Arsenal enter this transfer window with a clear goal: to improve the overall quality of the squad and close the painful two-point gap to Manchester City.
Surely, Pep Guardiola’s team can’t win five consecutive titles, right? That’s the hope at Arsenal, anyway. Perhaps a few exciting signings will help. The £105 million purchase of Declan Rice last summer certainly boosted their efforts, along with the additions of David Raya and Kai Havertz.
Discover the latest updates! Who might grace the Emirates Stadium in the upcoming year?
Arsenal are aiming to acquire talent from the Premier League
Arsenal’s successful strategy in recent years has involved acquiring ready-made Premier League talent and developing them into true superstars.
The rationale for this approach is clear. These players are already proven in the competition Arsenal aims to win, requiring minimal adaptation time. Additionally, having competed against Arsenal, they are familiar with the club they are joining.
This approach likely explains why the acquisitions of Rice, Raya, and Havertz have all been so successful.
This strategy might be used again this year. According to The Mirror this weekend, Mikel Arteta and his team are preparing to compete with other Premier League giants for Crystal Palace star Michael Olise.
They are competing against Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea, but Arsenal reportedly have the advantage because the player desires Champions League football.
A comparison between Michael Olise and Bukayo Saka
One of the most troublesome areas for Arsenal this season has been the right flank. Why, you may ask?
Bukayo Saka finished the season as Arsenal’s leading goal scorer, tallying 20 goals in 47 games. However, he has been overplayed, which has taken a toll on him. While his availability has been a major asset, towards the end of the season, he appeared fatigued and in need of a break. Unfortunately, he was also sidelined due to injury for the final match against Everton.
The solution lies in introducing more competition. Luckily, Olise would be an excellent candidate for this role. According to FBref, statistically, Olise is one of the most comparable players to Saka. Interestingly, City’s Phil Foden is also on that list.
If you’ve observed the France youth international play, you’ll understand why. With a magical left foot, the skill to cut inside from the right flank, and create opportunities out of thin air, there are evident similarities. But where precisely do these parallels exist? We have the response.
| Olise vs Saka vs Foden: 23/24 Premier League | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stat (per 90 mins) | Olise | Saka | Foden |
| Goals | 0.70 | 0.49 | 0.60 |
| Assists | 0.42 | 0.28 | 0.25 |
| Progressive carries | 4.79 | 4.78 | 2.93 |
| Progressive passes | 5.49 | 3.89 | 5.30 |
| Key passes | 2.54 | 2.81 | 2.30 |
| Shot-creating actions | 5.77 | 5.80 | 4.54 |
| Goal-creating actions | 0.99 | 0.65 | 0.66 |
| Successful take-ons | 2.82 | 1.51 | 1.48 |
| Stats via FBref. | |||
The Palace star’s statistics in key areas for a flank player are quite impressive. However, there are notable similarities and differences when comparing him to other players. In terms of progressive carries, Olise is similar to Saka, but regarding progressive passing, he resembles Foden more closely.
Described as “one of Europe’s top wide playmakers” by scout Jacek Kulig, Olise showcases remarkable creativity. In the current Premier League season, with only 19 games played, he has scored ten goals and provided six assists. Moreover, in the 2022/23 season, at just 22 years old, he recorded 11 assists in the league, highlighting his ability to find teammates effectively.
A deal worth approximately £70 million would be significant, signaling a major move. Signing a player with similarities to Saka and the Premier League Player of the Year winner would be a commendable achievement. If they manage to secure this signing, it would mark a highly impressive start to the summer transfer window.
