Arsenal target USA right-back Tyler Adams as Bellerin replacement

Arsenal have so much on their plate this summer that there will be players linked with the club who may drift by without being seen. Everyday a new name or face bubbles to the speculative surface as Mikel Arteta seeks reinforcements, with the latest being RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams.

It’s been all quiet on the right-back front so far this summer – there is still a long way to go – as focus has been heavily shifted towards the central midfield area. Goalkeeper has been garnering more attention as far as the press is concerned, with both full-backs slots yet to fully kick into gear.

Selling Hector Bellerin will be first on the agenda. Finding a suitor for the Spaniard hasn’t proven too difficult as of yet, with clubs across La Liga all showing their hand this summer. A move to either his home nation or Serie A is being worked on with Arsenal doing their best to accrue their £20m asking price.

When he does leave a replacement will be needed. There are a number of right-back targets that would slot into this team, although Arteta is after a specific profile.

Arsenal target USA and RB Leipzig right-back Tyler Adams as Hector Bellerin replacement in summer transfer window

Noticeable with Bellerin when he had a run in the team last season and similarly with Calum Chambers, Arteta likes to adopt an inverted right-back on that side. Kieran Tierney provides the width and overlapping, which is finely matched with the opposing full-back tucking into midfield.

This balancing act requires a specific profile, hence why the likes of Noussair Mazraoui are such endearing options. It requires someone who is technically secure in possession, has the legs to support the attack in the fifth channel and also be progressive with their play.

Across Europe there are options available, but Arsenal, being Arsenal, have set their sights on an option (via The Athletic) who would be tough to obtain: USA international Tyler Adams. The Gunners are keen on him but his club are less eager to sell him, with both their first choice centre-backs already departing this summer.

Impressing with the New York Red Bulls, Adams made the natural progression into Europe by joining RB Leipzig in January 2019. Adams practically skipped a step, having bypassed the normal route of Red Bull Salzburg to join their German counterparts instead. It’s an example of his talent.

Injuries had curtailed his first two campaigns in the Bundesliga, making 12 and 17 appearances in all competitions respectively, before putting his niggles aside to feature on 37 occasions last term.

Is he the right fit?

Continued…

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.