Arsenal handed perfect Andre Onana & Noussair Mazraoui transfer invitations

Arsenal have a stupid amount of business to conclude this summer, the like that will end up with the phone ringing off the hook and Edu desperately trying to categorise his contacts on his Blackberry (he definitely has a Blackberry). If a double deal can be made at one club that would suit, just like Andre Onana and Noussair Mazraoui at Ajax.

What does Mikel Arteta need? The standout positions to strengthen are at both full-back and central midfield, with multiple outgoings to sign off that will spark action elsewhere. There are more positions, but they’re top of the list.

Right-back is very important. While on the other flank the task is finding someone good enough, and willing enough, to play second fiddle to Kieran Tierney, here it is about finding the ideal profile to become the first choice.

An attacking full-back is the preferred, one who can offset the imminent departure of Hector Bellerin and who is a general upgrade on both Cedric and Calum Chambers. Simplifying what’s needed makes it seem, in truth, fairly straightforward. There are a lot of right-backs better than the trio on the books and in the modern era most tend to be of the attacking ilk.

Arsenal handed perfect Andre Onana & Noussair Mazraoui transfer invitations with Ajax looking to sell pair in summer transfer window

All supporters are allowed a little freedom to dream when it’s transfer season. Building the ideal squad in our heads with dashes of the outlandish. However, compiling a list of right-back targets will have surely had Noussair Mazraoui’s name featured. The good news is that his signature is a very realistic prospect.

Dutch outlet De Telegraaf list no less than seven players up for sale at Ajax this summer as Erik ten Hag streamlines his squad to mount another Eredivisie charge and Champions League campaign. Mazraoui, who has been statistically one of the outstanding right-backs in Europe, has been handed on a plate for Arsenal.

Even with just one year left on his deal he’s the surprise option on the list, but the news indicates no intention of a new deal being signed and with Devyne Rensch and Sean Klaiber on the books already, that area is stocked.

The only downside to the 23-year-old is that he’s not especially quick. That’s it. Everything else he does is to a high level. In terms of attacking output, he’s in the 91st percentile for xG compared to full-backs in Europe over the past 365 days (fbref), 98th percentile for shots taken and 97th for goals overall. Good start.

Of the Joao Cancelo ilk in that he tucks into midfield and is granted freedom to run the channels and hug the opposition box in the final third, his skillset expands well beyond just being a right-back. From midfield his accuracy and range of pass can sing, with him being in the top 99th percentile for progressive passes. That’s huge. Arsenal are too laboured building from the back.

When in the final third his SCA (shot creating actions) are strong, but despite being a dynamic full-back, the purists will drool at what he does in defence. He is in the 99th percentile for every kind of block. Add in tackles won to that 99th percentile group and balls recovered. In other words, you don’t get past him. This is someone who forced Achraf Hakimi to be moved to left-back for Morocco before his injuries this season, after all.

12 months left on his deal? Young? Up for sale? Enticing, even if the above comes with the caveat of Ajax dominance in a weaker division.

Continued…

Arsenal Free to Move for Andre Onana

The other option among the outgoing list at Ajax is goalkeeper Andre Onana, who the Gunners have already been credited with showing an interest in.

Another player with just one year left on his deal, the Cameroonian isn’t keen on signing a new contract and will be sold.

It’s been a desperately unfortunate year for Onana, who has gone from being coveted as one the best rated young goalkeepers in Europe a few years back to being forced to train away from his teammates. The 25-year-old hasn’t played since February after he failed an out-of-competition doping test with it claimed by Ajax that their goalkeeper accidentally took medicine prescribed for his wife. There is no reason not to believe him or the club. Still, not very clever.

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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is set to hear his appeal in June before making a decision whether to shorten his 12-month ban to eight months, in which case he could return to training that month and be ready for action in August. He wasn’t even allowed to join in the title celebrations. It’s cruel.

Arsenal believe they can land him for £7m, which is an absolute bargain. Of course, there is this ban hanging over his head and, even if successful, his absence will have meant no competitive action for eight months. Other options remain.

If something can be arranged on Bernd Leno’s future, as rumoured, with Onana heading to north London, Arteta would be getting his hands on (pun intended) a superb shot-stopper. Onana’s save percentage is 77.8% (96th percentile) while his PSxG-GA (Post-Shot Expected Goals minus Goals Allowed) is in a delightfully high 99th percentile. Suiting the manager’s style, the keeper averages 46.83 passes per game which also has him in the 99th percentile, with the large majority of those being at short distances.

He’s backed up statistically yet there needs to be plenty of tempering with those numbers since Ajax are far and away the best side in the Netherlands, and with defenders such as Mazraoui in front of him he is given a helping hand (pun also intended).

This pair would be excellent additions to Arsenal for their ability and price. Cheap business isn’t always bad business. Max Aarons is this writer’s preference at right-back for more reasons than one, but opportunities such as these for players of this calibre don’t come about all too often.

Where’s the issue? Well, the AFCON months are going to suck.