Arsenal: 3 reasons why Jack Grealish worth whatever is necessary

1. He is class

Most importantly, Jack Grealish is a fantastic footballer. Even when playing for a rather underwhelming Aston Villa team, he has seven goals and six assists. He has a hand in over a third of Villa’s goals. He also averaged 2.1 shots per game, 2.7 key passes per game, 2.2 successful dribbles per game, and, perhaps most tellingly, is fouled a massive 4.9 times per game. The next highest rate in the Premier League is Wilfried Zaha, who is fouled 3.2 times per game.

More than just the numbers, however, Grealish is the heartbeat of the Villa team. He is often the player who picks up the ball from deep and plays progressive passes up the pitch or carries the ball into advanced areas. He is often the one creating chances in the final third. He is often the one scoring the goals in the penalty area. He does everything.

Now imagine a player of his all-encompassing ability and impact slotted into a team with more capable teammates around him. With a searing Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on either flank. With Dani Ceballos feeding passes into him. With Alexandre Lacazette occupying the centre-backs. Suddenly, everything starts to come together.

Grealish is the near-perfect Mesut Ozil replacement. He is worth whatever is necessary to prise him away from Villa.