Arsenal open talks for ideal Rodrigo De Paul transfer

Rodrigo De Paul Statistical Analysis for Arsenal

If you want goal threat, you want De Paul. It really is as simple as that.

Statistically it’s actually quite outrageous how strong he is drifting between central positions and the right half-space where he can find pockets of space and brutally progress the play into dangerous areas via a combination of dribbles and passes.

In a mediocre side, the reliance on him is astonishing. However, you can hardy blame his teammates. His chart-topping numbers for progressive passes, progressive carries into the final third, shot-creating actions, dribbles completed are all 99th percentile. In almost every department in regards to attacking contribution, he’s top of the pile.

An exceptionally high non-penalty expected goals and assists number of 0.42 per 90 is top two percent (fbref) across all midfielders in the top five European divisions. Sitting as the right-sided midfielder in Udinese’s 5-3-2 setup, he is given the freedom to progress from deep, run beyond and move into the right half-space, much like Martin Odegaard, where his exemplary ball control and vision in front is him at his most dangerous.

Receiving the ball as an option in the build up or during transition, he has the technical ability to beat his man and the short bursts of speed to collect possession on the half-turn and begin driving from deep. Last season he notched nine goals along with nine assists in Serie A which is a magnificent return for a No. 8 featuring in a side that finished just seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Passing wise he’s strong, too, switching the play with accurate regularity (3.72 per 90) and happy to cross early or drift wide for an outswinger having previously operated as a winger.

He wouldn’t just fit in to this Arsenal side, he’d fit into most. There is an elegant ferocity about De Paul that’s crying out for better than 14th place in Italy. Could that be Arsenal and how would it fit?

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