Arsenal target USA right-back Tyler Adams as Bellerin replacement

Should Arsenal Sign Tyler Adams From RB Leipzig?

Featuring across three positions last season, the one Adams was fielded the fewest amount of times in was, funnily enough, right-back.

By trade a defensive midfielder, at RB Leipzig the 22-year-old has featured at right wing-back as well as occasionally in a more natural full-back role. This blend of teachings means his skillset is broad and his on-field intelligence has matured rapidly. Previously under Jesse Marsch and with the German club in general, the onus on tactical shape and positioning is strong.

Comparing his stats to fellow full-backs, one element that is essential to playing for one of the Red Bull sides is relentless pressing. Adams not only presses in abundance, he does so successfully: averaging 18.49 per 90 minutes for an average of 6.15 successful, he sits in the 98th percentile for both (fbref). Nearly 11 ball recoveries per 90 (95th percentile) is also exactly the kind of numbers Arteta will want to see from his full-back.

Lung-bursting football in which static movement is punishable by death, constant interchanging and locating space means receiving the ball can come at any time. Being able to play your way out of pressure is essential and Adams excels at this, with 8.08 passes made under pressure for a 96th percentile ranking.

In general across comparisons with midfielders and full-backs, the USA defender is someone who is regularly on the ball and crucially almost always accurate with it – his 86.1% pass completion is very high considering how often he assume possession and how frequently he invites pressure.

As an attacking outlet he’s an excellent dribbler of the ball, his 82.6% success rate is worthy of a 99th percentile bracket, which helps lead to 3.93 passes into the final third. A npxG + xA of 0.11 may not sound like much, however, because it isn’t.

He takes a good number of shots but doesn’t test the goalkeeper enough, while his tackling figures and duels success are where Adams falters. In RB Leipzig’s style where he’s encouraged to push on from wing-back, he can also get caught out in behind. Adams is someone moulded into the Leipzig way and not a trusted member of the team, but it’s evident watching where the polishing is needed. What adds to the encouragement is that he’s regularly improving. Attitude is key and he’s someone hungry for daily improvement.

Arteta is eyeing him up but it will take some convincing. RB Leipzig will not want to lose more defensive players this summer.