Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Sam Hill

Arsenal have their own Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Kane following £72m transfer business

Arsenal are enjoying a stellar 2022/23 season so far having won all but two of their fixtures in all competitions.

Despite dropping points against Southampton at the weekend the Gunners remain top of the Premier League after already securing qualification for the Europa League knockout rounds. Granit Xhaka has been one of the many standout performers under Mikel Arteta highlighted by the Swiss midfielder scoring crucial goals in the last two games against the Saints and PSV Eindhoven.

Gabriel Jesus may be struggling in front of goal at present, failing to score in his last five appearances, but the Brazilian has been a revelation in attack for Arsenal since arriving from Manchester City in a £45million deal. William Saliba is now proving why the Gunners forked out £27million for his services back in 2019, impressing alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in defence after a successful loan spell with Marseille last term.

READ MORE: Arsenal sent major Premier League title warning as Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Jesus set key target

Jesus' arrival and Saliba's return to the Emirates Stadium have been influential in improving key areas of Arteta's squad and helping Arsenal mount a serious Premier League title challenge against reigning champions Manchester City this season. The Gunners sit two points clear at the top of the English top-flight with just three games left in the league before club football is suspended for the World Cup in Qatar.

The duo's impact at the Emirates Stadium has been highlighted by two key statistics that measure line-breaking passes being completed and received by a player per 90 minutes. The graph below hints that Arsenal may have their own Harry Kane and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the squad already when comparing Jesus and Saliba to the England internationals.

The Brazilian striker's movement has been a key addition in attack for the Gunners, along with his ability to hold off defenders and retain possession in the final third. Jesus averages 7.1 line-breaking passes received per 90 minutes whilst his north London rival Kane averages 7.3.

In terms of completing line-breaking passes, Saliba averages 4.9 per 90 minutes which is more than any other centre-back in the Premier League. The French defender matches the likes of Manchester City's Joao Cancelo and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, whilst Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold is way ahead in averaging 7.2 line-breaking passes completed per 90 minutes.

It shows the impact that both players have had at the Emirates Stadium this season, matching up to one of the best passers in the division and one of the best strikers in terms of hold-up play as well. Jesus and Saliba are proving to be vital additions to Arteta's squad and at a combined fee of £72million, both deals are proving to be bargains in an inflated transfer market.

READ NEXT:

Arsenal confirmed to avoid Bayern Munich tie with 28 teams set to discover Europa League fate

Three Arsenal players Unai Emery may sign at Aston Villa including ambitious Kieran Tierney move

Arsenal handed huge boost ahead of PSV clash as Mikel Arteta eyes Europa League top spot

Arsenal 'will do anything' to secure major midfield transfer as Edu eyes Tielemans alternative

Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.