How often can we construct a strong opinion about a player without barely seeing them? Perhaps YouTube compilations or viral clips on social media have become the grassroots from which broad and decisive views on players now stem.
Arsenal have been linked with hundreds of players through the years from all around the world, and it is startling how quickly minds can be made up for or against a player despite little-to-no prior knowledge of them is held. I know I have been guilty of it, and certainly, initially, with Arsenal’s latest link, Alex Grimaldo.
The Spanish and Benfica left-back is a player reportedly available for as little as €7m (£5.9m) after the price tag for primary target Lisandro Martinez grew well beyond a reasonable valuation of the Argentine. Grimaldo is comparatively far cheaper with just a year left on his deal.
READ MORE: Arsenal prepare £5.9m bid for Lisandro Martinez alternative as transfer clock ticks down
There has been quite a negative response to these links. Hardly surprising, considering the calibre of Martinez contextually puts Grimaldo on the back foot. Arsenal needs someone who can compete and cover Kieran Tierney, who has suffered from consistent injury issues.
Arteta likes the style of the Scot, who is great going forwards and when on form, can offer defensive cover to a certain degree. The dynamic with Takehiro Tomiyasu on the right flank allows this situation to flourish.
Circling back to the apprehension around Grimaldo, it may come as a surprise to many that the Spaniard outperformed Tierney in 16 different areas last season. Ranging from passing into the box, pressures and interceptions.
Starting at the back, per 90 minutes, Grimaldo averaged more defensive duels (7.24 > 4.13), interceptions (4.35 > 4.17), recoveries (6.96 > 6.78) and pressures (13.71 > 7.61) than his Scottish counterpart according to Wyscout.
Passing wise, per 90, the Spaniard bested Tierney in pass accuracy (83.1% > 80.5%) passes into the final third (5.11 > 4.98) the accuracy of these passes (79.3% > 69.5%) passes into the box (3.96 > 3.27) and the accuracy of them (49.4% > 45.2%). He also managed more assists (8 > 3) expected assists (11.16 > 2.63).
Lastly, Grimaldo scored more goals across the season (6 > 1) with a higher xG (2.79 > 0.81) leading to a better goal per 90 measure (0.13 > 0.04). He takes more shots per 90 (0.89 > 0.58) and with a better accuracy compared to Tierney (40.5% > 33.3%).
It is important to apply context, and playing for Arsenal in the Premier League compared to operating as Benfica’s starting left-back or left wing-back in the Portuguese League does have its differing environments. These statistics, therefore, are not an argument to suggest Grimaldo is better than Tierney.
But what the numbers do allow is perspective in the criticisms of the Spaniard. Clearly, Grimaldo is not a bad player, far from it, in fact.
If Arsenal want a competitor for the position and are not willing to spend big beyond their primary target of Martinez, Grimaldo is a great alternative for a very small fee. That said, stylistically, he is very different to Martinez, and this is what continues to raise some doubt about the move’s validity.
READ NEXT:
Tielemans or Paqueta join squad, Odegaard named captain - Arsenal's best USA pre-season tour
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest updates and rumours from the Emirates
Full Arsenal Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
Mikel Arteta and Antonio Conte clash over transfer plans for Sergio Reguilon and Lucas Torreira
Arsenal door opened to Lucas Paqueta move by Lisandro Martinez snub as Edu assesses alternatives
