Arsenal eye interesting Muldur and Gutierrez double transfer

As Arsenal push on with their summer plans, some areas of the squad have taken a backseat with other deals hogging the limelight just over two weeks into the window. Ben White is all the rave just like Albert Sambi Lokonga is the new big thing, but what about at full-back?

The window began with Ryan Bertrand’s name at the supposed top of a supposed wishlist. The definition of a stop-gap signing, the ageing free agent would’ve suited the homegrown requirements and spared Arsenal from doing a great deal of scouting.

Left-back was always going to be tricky with anyone arriving knowing full well that they’ve been brought in to play second fiddle to Kieran Tierney, and with the desired profile of player being a young option, the lack of minutes at a crucial stage of one’s career is a hard sell.

Names like Patrick van Aanholt have also been mentioned for similar reasons – homegrown, Premier League proven, no transfer fee – as the task of securing the preferred target remains troublesome.

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Arsenal eye interesting Mert Muldur and Miguel Gutierrez double transfer as Arteta eyes left-back and right-back signings

It’s a different story at right-back, where whoever comes in is almost certain to be instilled as the first choice option immediately: Cedric Soares is no longer favoured by Mikel Arteta, Hector Bellerin is due to depart and Calum Chambers makes for a solid squad option.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles can also fill in there but his future looks destined to be away from north London, same with Bellerin.

Yet there have been no concrete links for any right-backs as of yet. Max Aarons has been fleetingly mentioned, so too a few others, but nothing to hang your hat on.

That could be partly in due to Arsenal shifting their priorities to player sales for the time being, as well as the club wanting to conduct their business in as covert of a manner as possible.

However, a few have slipped through the cracks as reported by The Athletic, with Arsenal continuing to keep tabs on options across the continent this summer. Neither player has been mentioned so far, which makes for interesting reading.

Mert Muldur is about the only Sassuolo player not to be linked with Arsenal yet. The 22-year-old has matured as a right-back this season and is a versatile option across the defence.

On the other flank is Real Madrid’s academy product Miguel Gutierrez, and it’s him who we’ll profile first. Muldur and Gutierrez? Sound like a New York City detective duo.

Continued…

Who is Arsenal Target Miguel Gutierrez?

The plan has been for some time for Arsenal to bring in a young option at left-back who can develop under Kieran Tierney and eventually compete for a starting berth. That was, however, expected to be a homegrown player and not a 19-year-old from Madrid’s famous La Fábrica.

If the Gunners are after an attack-minded option though, then they’ve found the right style of player since Miguel Gutierrez profiles more like Marcelo than he does Ferland Mendy.

As technically secure as you’d imagine any defender rising through Los Blancos’ ranks would be, his penchant for under-lapping and drifting into the half-space is particularly intriguing since Arteta has been after a full-back who can shift infield seamlessly.

Gutierrez has played both central midfield and as a No. 10 during his young career, building up his versatility at a rate which has fast-tracked him to Real’s first team.

Battling off loan offers for the Spaniard 12 months ago, Gutierrez was convinced to stay where he made six La Liga outings towards the end of the season, registering one assist.

Florentino Perez has made it clear that 33-year-old Marcelo will stay on next season with Mendy also vying for a number one spot, leaving Gutierrez’s future slightly in doubt. If Arsenal firm up their interest all they need to do is get Arteta to phone up his agency, who also represent Gutierrez.

With a contract that is said to have a €40m release clause, on top of the player being highly rated in the Spanish capital, it’s hard to see where Arsenal come in other than for a loan deal. However, as ever, a loan move would do nothing for either the player or the club. Arsenal would just be doing Real a development favour.

A very interesting prospect but unless there is purchase potential in there it seems like the wrong one to pursue.

Continued…

Arsenal Scouting Sassuolo’s Mert Muldur

If someone had said Arsenal were looking at a Turkish right-back over the summer then it wouldn’t have been Mert Muldur. Instead, it would likely have been the guy who actually played right-back in all three of the country’s Euro 2020 group matches, Zeki Celik.

Unfortunately for Celik, his performances in the tournament did little to rise his stock.

Not too much can be looked into individuals performances at Turkey since the whole team massively underperformed when they were being touted as ‘dark horses’, so Muldur’s name comes across as a surprise mention.

Arsenal have been watching the 22-year-old over the past year and, interestingly, are viewing him as an option for either full-back position.

Spending last season at right-back for Sassuolo, the Austrian-born defender made two appearances and one start at the Euros in the left-back slot, demonstrating his versatility. Using the eye test, this is someone brimming with confidence in his own technical ability. An engaging defender who wants to take his man on and drive his team up the pitch with his runs, the lack of attacking output over the past 12 months casts some doubt over his suitability.

Recording a npxG+xA of just 0.09 when compared to other full-backs in Europe over the past 365 days, his key passes (8th percentile), passes into the penalty area (35th percentile) and shot-creating actions (29th percentile) don’t cover him in attacking glory.

Equally, in terms of defensive output, he records 2.97 tackles and interceptions per 90, doesn’t apply pressure with any alluring success (26.3%) and can get caught out further up the pitch.

So, why are Arsenal so keen? It comes back to the visual aspect because there are some exciting traits in his play to counteract the numbers. Of course, as well, different team styles have a different impact on the statistics.

Muldur does like to play on the front foot and he regularly changes his game up to chop inside and drive down the channels as well as seeking the overlap, and if the scouting department can see the true potential in him then that’s impressive work because, as it stands, he doesn’t look like the kind of player to waltz into a Premier League side and raise the bar.

There is definite talent there, however. He needs to hit the gym a bit and polish some aspects of his game, but on view this is an exciting prospect, even if the statistics don’t quite paint that picture.

One to look out for.