Arsenal: 12 Granit Xhaka transfer replacements

Manuel Locatelli – Sassuolo

Last up on the list is Manuel Locatelli, a statistician’s dream. His distribution numbers are absurd.

When the world calls for a deep-lying playmaker, the Italian answers. And no, not Marco Veratti, this one is very different.

With Locatelli, it’s a case of give him the ball and let him perform. Like handing the batons to the conductor of an orchestra, the 23-year-old will govern those in front of him with exquisite, almost effortless control. Receiving the ball on the half turn, the speed and ease with which he can dodge a tackle, lift his head up and spot a teammate is remarkable.

Whether cross-field into feet or down the line into space, he sits in the 96th percentile or above for completed passes, total passing distance, progressive passes, progressive passing distance and passes into the final third (this is 8.79 per 90 and worthy of a 98th percentile).

They’re numbers that make forward players sing.

But this isn’t just sitting deep and finding a man. Locatelli picks the right passes, those that will cause the most harm. Those that help Sassuolo score. His 2.75 SCA per 90 is in the mid-80’s with the vast majority coming in live action.

Being part of a double pivot dictates that he must defend, and he can do that too. He’s not rapid by any means, nor is he slow despite being over six foot, yet his intelligence is key to seeing him rarely ever be dribbled past (76th), block shots (88th) and tackle high up the pitch (85th). The latter of those comes back to the point made about Arsenal struggling to maintain pressure in matches. It’s very important.

If assuming possession in his own third or around the halfway line, he isn’t afraid to move with possession if angles are cut off and is in the upper echelon of midfielders for carrying the ball (96th percentile).

Xhaka has the ability to control matches for Arsenal. He won’t grab the game by the scruff of the neck but he helps form the stable foundations for his side to build on. If Arteta does want someone to perform a similar role, but better, then this is the upgrade for him.

Locatelli is quite magnificent and Italy’s secret weapon in this summer’s European Championships. Were he to join Arsenal (sadly Juventus are favourites), he’d be only the club’s fourth Italian in history. Two of those were goalkeepers. Funny, that.

Anyway, yes, please.