With all the focus very much on the midfield, it is perhaps easy to forget that there remain other areas that still need Arsenal’s attention in the forthcoming summer transfer window. Beyond the forward line is the defensive reinforcement that has been highlighted more recently due to the injuries to William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu which have plagued the end to the Gunners’ season.
Rob Holding has come in but the impact on the productivity of the side, especially in the build-up has been noticeably damaging. It has become widely accepted that an upgrade to the competitive options available in the positions is clear.
Mikel Arteta looked to have two clear routes with this. Sign a centre-half to upgrade on Rob Holding to provide competition for Saliba, or sign a full-back who can then offer variation in options to the position whilst seeing Ben White able to cover Saliba if necessary and play with the new right-back option.
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Yet, the Guardian’s sports writer Ed Aarons has reported that Arsenal are showing a strong interest in RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan. The 23-year-old Frenchman joined the Bundesliga club in the summer of 2021 for around £15million and has developed into a key member of the German side.
The club were so impressed with his contributions they renewed his deal in December. In part to help ward off potential suitors but seemingly this has not deterred Arsenal.
Simakan could be the perfect option for the Gunners to bring in. All that talk of choosing between a Holding upgrade or a right-back to release White’s versatility, instead the Leipzig man could bring the best of both worlds.
Just this season Simakan has played 16 games as a full-back or wing-back, whilst also playing 14 times as a centre-half. His time on the flank has contributed six assists and three goals demonstrating just how influential he can be in the final third.
FBRef has Simakan ranking in the 80th percentile for xAG (expected assisted goals) and the 86th percentile for non-penalty xG when compared to his positional peers in the top five leagues. This impressive output continues defensively.
Concerns over Arsenal’s aerial presence in the box from set pieces can hopefully be combatted by the presence of Simakan. He ranks in the 95th percentile for aerial duels won with 2.16 per 90.
He also ranks in the 82nd percentile for clearances and the 81st for interceptions. Simakan is seriously impressing and therefore it is little surprise that he has found himself on Arsenal’s radar should these suggestions be true.
Simakan would be a great addition to a defensive right-sided unit that already sports Saliba, White, Tomiyasu and the burgeoning Jakub Kiwior who has deputised strongly at right centre-half. Not to mention the impressive youngster that is Reuell Walters coming through whose pathway is not outright blocked thanks to the versatility of both the Arsenal Hale End starlet and the potential new arrival.
It would be an expensive deal considering the aforementioned new contract and his employers RB Leipzig commanding significant fees for their players. However, should the Gunners pull it off, it could be one of the best to secure.
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