Arsenal: 3 financially viable signings to fill creativity void

Arsenal have a void of creativity in central midfield. Here are three financially viable signings who could solve their lack of attacking craft.

Within any attacking system, having a creative player is a necessity. Without them, a team is limited regarding the type of goals they can score. Without being able to break a defence down, they must rely on counter-attacks, set-pieces or opposition mistakes to score goals. A team without a conductor behind a chorus of goalscorers is not an effective one.

Arsenal have plentiful finishers. However, their output has been somewhat restricted by the lack of opportunities being created for them. Consequently, a huge onus has fallen upon Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to make things happen singlehandedly. With a bit more creativity, this onus could be at least partially lifted.

And so, with the summer transfer window looming, Arsenal should be on the lookout for a creative player who can unpick defences. Such players, though, do not come cheap and identifying potential problem solvers in this area is difficult. Nevertheless, this is the position the Arsenal board find themselves in. So, here are three relatively cheap potential acquisitions who could solve the team’s lack of creativity.

3. Emi Buendia

In the midst of a campaign of darkness for Norwich City, Emi Buendia has been a shining light for the Canaries. The 23-year-old’s performances have gone somewhat under the radar due to Norwich’s underperformance, but his creative numbers are superior to any player in the current Arsenal squad.

Per FBREF, Buendia provided 2.88 key passes per 90 this season, with an expected assists per 90 of 0.27. Jack Grealish’s numbers with regard to his key passes may be slightly higher than those of Buendia’s but xA suggests Buendia poses more of an assist threat. It’s also likely Buendia would be available for much cheaper than Grealish, who has been evaluated at an astronomical £80 million by Aston Villa.

While the former Getafe midfielder has spent most of his time this season operating on the right flank, he gives the impression of someone who could play across the midfield. His small frame and low centre of gravity have led to some spotting the striking similarities to Santi Cazorla, and with a little bit of work on his defensive game, it’s undoubtedly a possibility that he’d be able to operate in a midfield three.

Let’s not forget he has been playing for Norwich City this season, ateam with recognisably poor attacking options. In a possession-based team, it’s likely that Buendia would gain even more opportunities to create opportunities for a higher calibre of player in front of him. Insert him into the Arsenal team and such promising underlying numbers could explode.

2. Dominik Szoboszlai

If you knew little about Emi Buendia, it is likely you will know even less about Dominik Szoboszlai. Unless, of course, you’re Hungarian or Austrian. At 19 years old, the RB Salzburg midfielder is Hungary’s star and has been tearing up the Austrian first division this season in spite of the departures of Erling Haaland and Takumi Minamino.

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The teenager has a preference for playing on the left side and has spent time in both the left-wing and left centre-midfield positions this season. So, the Hungarian would be capable of playing in not one but two positions within the 4-3-3 formation that Mikel Arteta will likely be looking to deploy in the near future.

And unlike Buendia, the youngster does not only offer a creative threat. This season, he has delivered a brilliant 19 goal contributions from 27 starts. Nine of those are goals. A proper modern-day playmaker, but with goals to boot. That is a rare combination.

Up until a week ago, a move to AC Milan looked all but completed for the Hungarian. However, after Ralf Rangnick’s move to the Italian giants fell through, so did Szoboslai’s. Szoboszlai has a release clause of just £24 million and, while the step up from Austrian to English league football is giant, he could very well hit the ground running considering how good he’s been for Salzburg this season. Certainly one to keep an eye on.

1. Thiago Almada

While concerns regarding the step up from Austrian football to the Premier League are valid, Thiago Almada, who is currently plying his trade in the Argentine Primera Diviso, will face an even tougher challenge. Almada, of course, is not as far down the line as Szoboszlai is in terms of development, but his ceiling could be higher and he might be cheaper, too.

The man dubbed the ‘next Lionel Messi’ can operate as either an attacking midfielder or as a winger and has attracted the attention of Europe’s elite. Up until now, Manchester United have been favourites to land his signature but no formal offer has been made. A move to nab Almada from the Red Devils’ grasp could be wise.

While it seems unlikely that Almada would walk straight into the first team, with South American talent, you just never know. As Gabriel Martinelli showed this season, the very best talents can make the step up from a relatively poor level of league football and perform from the off at a higher one. One should not expect such an impact from Almada, admittedly, but the idea of him stamping his mark over a first-team squad place is not implausible.

While Arsenal would probably be better off buying a player who could deliver a more guaranteed impact to fill the creative void, a move for Almada might be a more prudent long-term play. He could start to flourish as Arteta’s project begins to hit form. He would be worth the gamble on the cheap.