Arsenal Transfers: Gunners would be wise to swoop for Napoli midfielder

Arsenal are in need of further bolstering their midfield ranks this summer and they’d be wise to test the waters for Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz. 

The Gunners landed a new playmaker in Fabio Vieira earlier this month, but the club were also interested in signing Leicester’s Youri Tielemans before they cooled their interest in the Belgian international. Tielemans, however, is the profile of midfielder Arsenal require if they’re to progress further under Mikel Arteta next season.

The Spaniard desperately wants to transition to a 4-3-3 but Thomas Partey’s injury woes combined with Granit Xhaka’s presence meant he was often forced to deploy a double pivot with Martin Odegaard functioning as the more advanced creator.

Xhaka enjoyed a fine season for the Gunners last time out, but he isn’t well suited to the left-sided #8 role in a three-man midfield due to his limitations in the final third and lack of athleticism in defensive transition.

Arsenal should swoop for Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz this summer

Many suspect Arsenal to go back in for Tielemans later on in the window, and I certainly wouldn’t be against that. While he, too, struggles in defensive transition, the Belgian would provide so much quality in possession for the Gunners as well as a shooting threat from distance.

However, Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz should be strongly considered as an alternative to Tielemans.

Like the Leicester midfielder, the Spaniard has a year remaining on his Napoli deal and, according to Italian journalist Matteo Maretto, he isn’t expected to renew his contract in Naples. Thus, Fabian could leave for a cut-price £25m fee this summer or for free in a year’s time.

And while some would question whether he’s cut out for the rigours of the Premier League, Fabian, on the surface, is a great fit for Arteta’s three-man midfield. He shone playing in Luciano Spalletti’s 4-3-3 last season.

The Spaniard is blessed with a sumptuous left foot and his metronomic nature means he’s comfortable dropping in and contributing to the build-up phase.

No player attempted (83) or completed (74.4) more passes per 90 minutes in Serie A than Fabian last season, while he scored the most goals in the division (six) from outside the area.

Overall, there are distinct stylistic similarities between Fabian and Xhaka in terms of the zones they occupy in possession and their relative lack of athleticism. The Spaniard will not offer the Swiss international’s robustness, but he’ll be a huge upgrade in terms of what he can produce in the final third.

For the reported price he’ll be available for this summer, I believe Fabian’s a player the Gunners should be looking at if they opt against going back in for Tielemans. However, the likes of Newcastle and Atletico Madrid are also keen on signing the Spaniard.