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Arsenal Transfers: 5 central midfielders the Gunners should target this summer

By James Cormack

GUIMARAES, PORTUGAL - MARCH 19: Matheus Nunes of Sporting CP looks on (with two lines painted on his face, as a sign of a Bwin Portugal League campaign against racism) during the Liga Portugal Bwin match between Vitoria Guimaraes SC and Sporting CP at Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques on March 19, 2022 in Guimaraes, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
GUIMARAES, PORTUGAL - MARCH 19: Matheus Nunes of Sporting CP looks on (with two lines painted on his face, as a sign of a Bwin Portugal League campaign against racism) during the Liga Portugal Bwin match between Vitoria Guimaraes SC and Sporting CP at Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques on March 19, 2022 in Guimaraes, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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4. Matheus Nunes

Portuguese international Matheus Nunes is the ideal option for the Gunners. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Portuguese international Matheus Nunes is the ideal option for the Gunners. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images) /

Having been linked with a move to Manchester City in 2021, Matheus Nunes is due a big-money move following another impressive campaign with Sporting CP.

The Portuguese international primarily functioned on the left side of a double pivot in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3/3-4-2-1. He typically partnered the defensive-minded #6 Joao Palhinha which gave him the freedom to contribute higher up the pitch.

Like every midfielder on this list, Nunes is an exceptional technician. His ball-carrying, however, stands out in a very talented crowd. Progressive carries are a feature of his game and, as a result, he can be a destructive player in transition.

Overall, Nunes just has a very impressive feel for the game that can’t be quantified. He’s incredibly aesthetic, but very well-rounded, too. He reminds me of Frenkie de Jong due to their similar turning radiuses, powerful ball-carrying and tenacity out of possession.

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