The important attribute of players in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal rebuild

The opening of the transfer window will inevitably unleash a deluge of rumours. Some will be backed by nothing more than the whims of a writer under a deadline and others will be supported by multiple credible sources. The latter is important in offering a sense of what attributes the club is looking for.

Last summer was one of several incomings. The club targeted young players with potential. All must be comfortable in possession, having a minimum level of ability on the ball.

This summer has seen Arsenal linked with Manchester City duo Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus. One key attribute that all transfer targets possess is mobility. The options Arteta was forced into using this season stand in stark contrast to the potential incomings.

What is the key attribute that Mikel Arteta looks for in his transfer targets?

Granit Xhaka has been Arsenal’s most consistent performer. His passing range and ability to slot in anywhere on that left side (apart from winger) has been crucial to Arsenal’s build-up play. He is also a leader and true professional, on and off the pitch. Yet despite his positive qualities, he is limited in his movement and agility.

Zinchenko, however, boasts these qualities at a world-class level. The Ukrainian international has the same positional flexibility but with the ability to move freely across the pitch. The striker position also exhibits this contrast.

Alexandre Lacazette’s usage as a withdrawn forward brought out the best in Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka at times. Yet in the latter half of the season, what minor physicality and pressing he had all but evaporated. Jesus has a relentless engine, not giving the opposition backline even a second to rest.

This attribute of mobility is not just useful when pressing without the ball. It offers an added threat in possession. Attacking players exchanging positions facilitates a certain chaos that unsettles opposing defences. However, these interchanges can only occur if the players on the pitch have the intelligence and mobility to do so.

The mobility that Arteta seems to be targeting has the potential to take Arsenal up another level. Let’s hope these transfers come through.