6 potential bargain transfers for Arsenal in 2022 window

Fabian Ruiz – Napoli

Age: 24
Position: No.8/Central midfielder
Contract expiry: 2023

A name fans have been hearing a lot about in recent months, and for all the right reasons.

Fabian Ruiz is having a superb season for Napoli where he’s playing in the exact position that Arsenal are looking to fill. Just off the left to a No. 6 he is coming to life in Serie A with his excellent displays contributing to Luciano Spalletti’s side being firmly in the hunt for the title.

Much more of a No. 8 these days than the double pivot player he used to be deployed as, it’s bringing out a goalscoring threat in him while keeping him in positions where he can progress the ball and use lightening quick vision to pick out pace in front.

Elegant on the ball and intuitive off it, the only complaints about his profile are that he isn’t the quickest or the most mobile. But these are only larger concerns if they’re made out to be. Kieran Tierney, in his more recent guise, sitting that bit deeper to deal in defensive transitions can make up for this.

Worth noting, too, is that Arsenal have been performing as well as they have with Xhaka in the position, someone who can’t carry the ball like Ruiz and runs with cement in his boots most of the time.

The main problem for Arsenal is the competition. With Ruiz’s deal expiring in the summer of 2023 there will be streams of clubs lining to snatch him, with a move back to his native Spain possibly too good to turn down.

He’s a player in fine form, though, and in a young team like this will be a fine addition as he enters his peak years.

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