We might say it most years, but this time, it feels particularly true: this summer is going to be a massive one for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side found themselves finishing runners-up in the Premier League for the third time on the bounce this season and ended a fifth campaign running without a major trophy.
So, while keeping their star players fit and on the pitch is going to be key to finally getting over the line next season, it’s just as crucial that Andrea Berta and Co help the manager by bringing in some brilliant talents in the coming weeks and months.
The good news is that, based on recent reports, that seems to be happening, as the Gunners have now been linked with a midfield destroyer who’s won comparisons to the legendary Patrick Vieira.
Arsenal's midfield mix-up
While fans and pundits alike are calling for Arsenal to go out and sign a new number nine and at least one winger – understandably so – it’s arguably just as important that the club bring in some midfield reinforcements.
Transfer Focus
After all, Jorginho left to join Flamengo and, based on recent reports from Fabrizio Romano, the talks over a new contract for Thomas Partey are not advancing, and the possibility of him leaving is now “concrete.”
Fortunately, the Romano has also reaffirmed that the deal to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad is set to proceed, with the club offering around £51m set to be paid in installments.
Yet, that still means the Premier League runners-up will be short a midfielder unless they move ahead to sign Lucien Agoumé.
Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal are interested in the Sevilla star.
The report claims that the Gunners see the young Frenchman as a potential replacement for Partey, although to get him through the doors, the Spanish side will need to buy out the remaining 40% of his rights from Inter Milan.
It’s unclear how much he would cost Arsenal, but as the £17k-per-week gem joined the Andalusian side for €4m – £3.4m – last summer, he might not cost too much.
Moreover, with comparisons to Vieira and the possibility of seeing him play with Zubimendi, this is a deal worth pursuing.
Why Agoume would be a great signing
So, before looking at how he could complement and learn from Zubimendi, it’s worth looking into this comparison to Vieira and where it comes from, as the former Invincible is undoubtedly one of Arsenal’s greatest players ever.
Well, in this instance, it stems from the respected talent scout Jacek Kulig, who completed a profile on the youngster all the way back in 2019, when he concluded that the star most similar to his style of play was the Gunners’ former captain.
He came to this conclusion by pointing out the mirrored strengths in his game, such as his ability to control the midfield through a combination of pinpoint accurate passes and immense physical and mental strength.
These attributes haven’t left him in the years since that initial report either, with data analyst Ben Mattinson waxing lyrical about him in the winter, describing him as someone who is “composed at dictating the tempo,” a “good dueller” on the ground and in the air, and just as importantly, is a primarily defensive midfielder who’s “very progressive.”
We can see a lot of this in his outstanding underlying numbers, with FBref placing him in the top 3% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for percentage of successful take-ons, the top 4% for tackles plus interceptions, the top 5% for just interceptions, the top 9% for average shot distance, the top 12% for goals per shot on target and more, all per 90.
Successful Take-On %
73.3%
Top 3%
Tackles + Interceptions
4.73
Top 4%
Interceptions
1.75
Top 5%
Tackles (Mid 3rd)
1.58
Top 6%
Average Shot Distance
15.00
Top 9%
Goals/Shot on Target
0.50
Top 12%
Aerials Won
1.79
Top 13%
Tackles
2.98
Top 14%
So, if Partey is going to be leaving and Zubimendi is going to come in as the starting six, that could create the perfect environment for the Sevilla ace to come in as an understudy to the Spaniard, learn the role without much pressure and eventually – perhaps sooner than some would expect – begin to provide some real competition.
Moreover, given his similarities to Vieira in his tenacity and silky passing range, there is no reason he couldn’t start in a double pivot with the Sociedad star in certain games or come off the bench to form one when the team need to hold on to a lead.
Ultimately, the “extraordinary” ace, as dubbed by former Sevilla manager Enrique Sanchez Flores, might not be a household name just yet, but Agoumé looks like he’s on track to becoming one, and therefore, Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign him now, before his price tag skyrockets this season.
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