It is worth firstly tackling the elephant in the room from the beginning. Recent reports have stated that Fabian Ruiz is not considering Arsenal as a present option, that instead, he sees Real Madrid or PSG as potential destinations.
However, it is worth considering that Arsenal will be a far more attractive destination for players come the summer, along with the potential financial package the Gunners can off to Ruiz. It is understood that Arsenal have already had representatives meet with the agents of Fabian Ruiz.
A deal interests the club and Mikel Arteta is on the lookout to strengthen his central midfield with a player who can do exactly what they already have but to a much higher level and more as they continue to seek progression.
The Arsenal Way intends to put together a mock manifesto for several possible summer transfer targets in the lead up to the window’s opening with Ruiz at the forefront. With both central midfield and striker expected to be the two key positions, expect plenty more in these roles.
Granit Xhaka, but so much more and thankfully less
Granit Xhaka presently occupies the left-sided central midfield role, and the Swiss midfielder shares a lot of characteristics with Ruiz.
In fact, their passing, left-footedness, taller yet not-so-bulky frames and restricted acceleration are all shared traits. In fact, according to FBRef, both players are completing exactly the same number of progressive passes per 90 this season at 5.98.
Interestingly though it begins to divide there. Ruiz has successfully completed 90.3% of his passes to Granit Xhaka’s 85.4%. Ruiz beats Xhaka’s accuracy for all of the short, medium and long passing too.
Regarding discipline, it is unsurprising to know that Ruiz has just the two yellow cards to Xhaka’s five. Xhaka has two reds in all competitions this season also. Ruiz does not have the irrational side to his game that has held Xhaka back in the minds of many Arsenal supporters.
Whilst neither have made errors leading to an opponent’s shot this season according to FBRef’s stats, the metrics show that across their careers, Xhaka has a total of four compared to just the one from Ruiz. Although, this can be subjective and many Arsenal supporters can likely bring up plenty more errors they felt have been missed.
Versatility in swathes
Where Xhaka operates solely in central midfield, often alongside a more defensive-minded player, Ruiz can perform in a number of areas for Napoli.
He has occupied the number six, eight and even number ten role. During the 2018/19 season, Ruiz played on the left flank six times scoring five goals, twice against Inter Milan in a 4-1 win. Goals are a much bigger part of the Spaniard's game too, having scored six already this season from a central midfield position.
Arteta appreciates players who can be more than the sum of their parts and Ruiz would give plenty to an Arsenal side hoping to compete in European football alongside three other competitions.
A level head but not a leading one
What losing Xhaka would do however is remove an important figurehead in the Arsenal team and dressing room. For all his faults, Xhaka is a very well-liked part of the squad with the players speaking highly of the 29-year-old.
Ruiz, whilst certainly liked in the Napoli squad, is not known for his leadership characteristics. He will give energy, as shown in his pressures metrics, offering 17.3 pressures per 90 compared to Xhaka’s 13.1.
However, Arsenal are no longer a side without individual leaders in the group and the presence of Martin Odegaard, Kieran Tierney, Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale, plus whoever is brought in this summer, will cover for that loss whilst appreciating what Ruiz brings.
It is a no-brainer for Arsenal to consider Ruiz, especially at the cut-price deal of £16m. He offers everything and more of what Arteta wants and would be an asset that borders on world-class ability for the long term.
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