Arsenal: 6 Cut-Price Transfers to Fill Dani Ceballos’ Boots

Matias Zaracho – £17m

Another South American candidate, Matias Zaracho is currently plying his trade at Racing Club, the team that spawned the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Rodrigo de Paul. Marcelo Bielsa of Leeds United is a keen admirer of the Argentinean playmaker, and sees him as a replacement for the ageing Pablo Hernandez.

Now I trust Bielsa, but I also trust my own eyes, and Zaracho has the goods. He’s agile and speedy, and is arguably better off the ball than he is on it. His football IQ is off the charts, especially when he’s darting into space or looking for the run of a teammate.

With four goals and three assists last season, his numbers may not be fantastic, but factor in 2.4 tackles per game and an 89% pass accuracy and you’re getting somewhere. The 22-year-old is stellar under pressure, and one of his greatest skills is his ability to improvise. It’s what makes him truly unpredictable.

Pros of Signing Zaracho

He’s a consummate creator, in everything he does. From the tricky touches to the perfect body movement, he has the tools to frustrate the absolute mess out of an opposition defense.

He’s very similar to Ceballos on the ball, but it’s his off-the-ball movement that is even sharper. He’s also faster and more versatile – he can be deployed on the wings if necessary – but plays best on the counter. And unlike most creative players, he isn’t afraid to bite into a challenge.

Cons of Signing Zaracho

He’ll have trouble keeping up with the Premier League from a physicality standpoint. While he’s not weak, he’s used to playing on smaller pitches against, no disrespect, inferior opponents, who he can brush off with skill instead of strength.

He’s not injury-prone, which is a bonus, but he’ll certainly have to watch his fitness. He’s also still an unproven commodity in a higher league, and as such will not be able to make the instant impact many fans would like. Still, he’s a fantastic option, and one Arsenal fans should consider.