It would be fair to say that this season has not gone according to plan Arsenal.
The Gunners entered the season hoping to finally unseat Manchester City at the top of the table Premier LeagueAlthough they are five points ahead of the defending champions, they are also in third place Nine points ahead of Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta The team is still relatively strong on defense this year but is disappointing on offense, especially from the left side.
So, recent reports link the club with an unreal left winger who will be promoted Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli It shouldn't be surprising.
Arsenal transfer news
according to Recent report from TEAMtalkArsenal have maintained their interest in Athletic Bilbao's Neco Williams.
It has been widely reported that the Gunners are interested in bringing the young Spaniard to the Emirates over the summer, and according to this story, the club consider him a target for next summer as well.
The article does not mention a potential price, but reports earlier this month reaffirmed that the European champions have a release clause in his current contract. A contract worth about 46 million pounds sterling.
There will undoubtedly be other teams chasing Williams in the summer, but if Arsenal want to take another step forward and improve their left-wing squad ahead of next season, signing the Spaniard would be an excellent idea.
How Williams compares to Martinelli and Trossard
So, if Arsenal can beat the chasing pack and bring Williams to north London in the summer, he will almost certainly come in as the new first choice left winger ahead of Martinelli and Trossard, but how does he compare to the other players? The Gunners' current options?
Well, from a simple production standpoint, since the start of last season, he's outpaced them, and it's not particularly close.
For example, the Spanish “level up”, e.g Analyst Ben Mattinson gave him his nicknameHe scored ten goals and provided 24 assists in just 60 appearances, which equates to an impressive average goal involvement every 1.76 games.
|
Williams v. Trossard v. Martinelli |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
2023/24 |
|||
|
Appearances |
37 |
46 |
44 |
|
Objectives |
8 |
17 |
8 |
|
Helps |
19 |
2 |
5 |
|
Goal + assists per match |
0.72 |
0.41 |
0.29 |
|
2024/25 |
|||
|
Appearances |
23 |
25 |
24 |
|
Objectives |
2 |
4 |
5 |
|
Helps |
5 |
3 |
2 |
|
Goal + assists per match |
0.30 |
0.28 |
0.29 |
|
All stats via Transfermarkt |
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In return, the Belgian international received a large sum 26 goal contributions in 71 matchesThe Gunners' Brazilian winger has just the right amount 20 in 68 matches across In the same period, which means the pair averaged two goals scored every 2.73 and 3.4 games respectively.
However, it's not just his production that makes the 22-year-old an exciting prospect, as his underlying numbers are impressive as well.
According to FBrefwhich compares players in similar positions across Europe's top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, the Pamplona-born Dinamo ranks in the top 7% of wingers in terms of progressive carries and successful passes, the top 10% in terms of progressive passes received and the top 21%. In terms of assists, they are all 90%.
In particular, the fact that he is so adept at advancing the ball up the pitch and beating opposing defenders should interest Arsenal fans, as this is the type of left winger they have been crying out for.
Ultimately, while Trossard and Martinelli are talented footballers who have played a vital role in Arsenal's comeback over the past two years, they are not on the same level as Williams, nor do they have the same potential.
Therefore, although it may be very difficult, the club must do everything in its power to bring him to the Emirates in the summer.
