Arsenal open talks for ideal Rodrigo De Paul transfer

The main gripe those of an Arsenal affiliation will have had from last season was the lack of goals. Most of what the club failed to achieve has its roots the Gunners’ lack of attacking output, as witness by a paltry 55 goals in 38 Premier League outings.

Of all the solutions, the simplest one is acquiring players with an eye for goal. Whether that is sourcing the right partner for Thomas Partey or making a change at centre-forward, there are options.

It’s never that straightforward, however. Goal-shy Arsenal can be contributed to numerous factors, whether it’s the dependence on two young stars in Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka who’re yet to unlock that aspect of their games, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s numerous off-field issues, Willian playing for large stretches or various midfield duos that pose no attacking threat, there are reasons.

Equally, the approach to matches that has such emphasis on being in a shape that is proactive to overturns, the slow building through the thirds and general lack of quality in progression all played their part.

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Arsenal open talks for perfect Rodrigo De Paul transfer – and why Gunners should sign Argentine ace from Udinese in summer window

What is certain is that additions will be made and those have to be with an eye on adding goals from midfield. It’s not the only solution but with a vast turnover of players in that department, some of those who arrive need to boast a different dynamic.

Granit Xhaka is one of a few departures that opens the door for an alternative approach. Whether a like-for-like is acquired or Arsenal alternate to a 4-3-3, there is scope for change.

One such option is Udinese’s Rodrigo De Paul.

The Argentine is anything but a Xhaka replacement, and journalist Ekrem Konur has revealed talks have started between Arsenal and the Italian club over a potential summer switch.

Edu has a considerable amount of work to do over the window – when he returns from his holiday, of course – with a goalkeeper, right-back, left-back, centre-back, central midfielder and attacking midfielder all on the wishlist.

De Paul would fit into some those categories quite neatly. He was close to becoming a Premier League player just last year, with Leeds bidding for him and the player even tweeting he was on his way to Elland Road.

No move materialised and since then the 27-year-old has continued to be linked with most sides across the continent. Playing for a club that finished 14th in Serie A last season, it’s unlikely he’ll remain beyond the summer.

For what Arsenal need, and especially what Arteta wants, De Paul would be an ideal addition.

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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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How Arsenal Would Use Rodrigo De Paul

De Paul would be an ideal signing for Arsenal, in either a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1.

For the former, the Argentine’s role would be a fairly simple one. As the right-sided No. 8 it would be his job to patrol that channel and use his outstanding carrying ability to shift Arsenal through the thirds with greater urgency and purpose. In Arteta’s system relationships are vital and striking up a partnership with either Bukayo Saka or Nicolas Pepe on the right and whoever the right-back is would be key.

Very much a ‘give me the ball and I’ll do the work’ figure at Udinese, learning the release the shackles would be important as he is so often tasked with being I Bianconeri’s everything man. This can result in over-complicating matters he needn’t do, perhaps a result of the burden he’s shouldered with.

As a 4-3-3, where the issue lie is in defensive work. De Paul doesn’t do any of it. Happy to press high, anything beyond the halfway line isn’t dealt with by anything remotely resembling the quality he has in attacking phases. He isn’t consistent in his defensive output nor is he effective. If operating at the No. 8 in this system some serious work would be needed in that department.

In the 4-2-3-1 he would slot in as the No. 10, in a much similar way to how Odegaard performed the role when he was there. De Paul likes to come deep and progress with carries and passes, much like the Norwegian, while he also thrives in the right half-space.

He does the role of the No. 8 brilliantly in progressing play and adds the chance creation you’d want from a No. 10. Ticking the boxes for all five attacking principles, him working in tandem with a Emile Smith Rowe off the left who likes to drift infield flanked by Kieran Tierney could see him effectively mirror the Real Madrid man.

So, what would he cost? Figures at the minute are hovering around the £35m mark, a fairly nominal fee given what he’d contribute but one that comes with some degree of concern. As mentioned, his defensive output is weak (Odegaard’s was statistically worse), but it’s his age that is only slightly troubling. It’s not a big issue, but at 27 years old he would constitute a hefty outlay for someone with one big move left in him.

Undoubtedly Arsenal could extract serious value from that, but they recently forked out £45m for a 27-year-old Thomas Partey and if for any reason it doesn’t work out they find themselves in a weak position.

Is he worth it, though? Oh yes, and it’s a deal that would certainly gets fans up off their seats. Some players are worth pushing the boat out for.