New Tottenham signing is 'most similar to' player who Arsenal discarded

Tottenham have signed quite a few players, and the same can be said about their rivals, Arsenal, who have basically adhered to almost every need in the squad.

Both teams have improved a lot since last season, but there was much more room for improvement when it came to Arsenal's rivals than the Gunners, because the team in red and white was always world class. The other team - even though they won a trophy - wasn't.

It is clear who Tottenham's biggest signing of the season was. It was none other than Xavi Simons, who, to be absolutely fair, was a great deal for them and the player. They've filled a position of need, as well as signed a player who has the potential to be a world class player.

Alex Iwobi is 'most similar' to Xavi Simons, according to FBref

Hilariously enough, however, FBref has come out with another blinder - Xavi Simons' most similar player, according to the website, is Alex Iwobi.

Iwobi was an Arsenal player until 2019, when he left for Everton. He was considered a big talent at the time, but was never able to match the expectations. He is still a good player - don't get me wrong - but Arsenal fans would have expected just a little bit more when he first broke onto the scene.

Arsenal got rid of Iwobi in 2019 for Everton, and now he plays for Fulham, and is still a good Premier League player. He is nowhere near the talent of Simons, who has a good few years on the Fulham man.

However, it is still said on the FBref that they are the most similar to each other. That doesn't mean the quality is the same, but it is still funny to notice that the most similar player to Simons is the player Arsenal sold back in 2019.

The stats in the last 365 days, per FBref, does show that there is a similarity between the two in terms of statistics.

They're both averaging a very high rate of progressive passing, with Iwobi on 6.71 and Simons on 5.97. Both good enough to be in at least the 89th percentile - Iwobi is a bit higher in that with 94 among attacking midfielders and wingers.

They also have a similar rate at which they like to pass the ball in general - both around the 47-49 passes completed threshold.

You can discuss the difference in quality all you want, but Iwobi and Simons are at least cut from the same fabric, if not the same cloth.