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Arsenal: 3 more Bundesliga players who impressed

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Moenchengladbach's French forward Alassane Plea (L) and Leverkusen's Burkinabe defender Edmond Tapsoba (R) vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Moenchengladbach v Bayer 04 Leverkusen on May 23, 2020 in Moenchengladbach, western Germany. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / POOL / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Moenchengladbach's French forward Alassane Plea (L) and Leverkusen's Burkinabe defender Edmond Tapsoba (R) vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Moenchengladbach v Bayer 04 Leverkusen on May 23, 2020 in Moenchengladbach, western Germany. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / POOL / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY – MAY 23: Ramy Bensebaini of Borussia Moenchengladbach is challenged by Kerem Demirbay of Bayer 04 Leverkusen during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Borussia-Park on May 23, 2020 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by Ina Fassbender/Pool via Getty Images)
MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY – MAY 23: Ramy Bensebaini of Borussia Moenchengladbach is challenged by Kerem Demirbay of Bayer 04 Leverkusen during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Borussia-Park on May 23, 2020 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by Ina Fassbender/Pool via Getty Images) /

1. Kerem Demirbay

Another Leverkusen star who helped control the match and dominate Monchengladbach, especially in the first half, was midfielder Kerem Demirbay. The diminutive Turk was superb in possession, playing in a pair alongside Charles Aranguiz.

Demirbay completed just north of 80% of his passes. He produced a progressive distance of 265 yards. He provided an assist, had an expected assists of 0.5, a leading figure for Leverkusen. Demirbay also carried the ball well, which is desperately needed in Arsenal’s midfield. Only Havertz and winger Moussa Diaby carried the ball over a greater progressive distance. Demirbay completed 100% of his dribble attempts and protected the ball serenely.

Offensively, he had four shots and two on target. His six shot-creating-actions, which are defined as actions that lead to a shot within two more actions, rank second in the squad. And don’t think that he did not work hard without the ball, either. His 14 pressures were the most of his teammates.

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Demirbay is a nuanced, subtle, intelligent central midfielder who is composed on the ball, smooths out possession, and works hard without the ball. Sounds like precisely the type of midfielder that Arsenal need.

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