Mikel Arteta saved Arsenal, pulled the Emirates Stadium from the gutter and resculpted it right into a drive in contrast to something that north London has seen in 20 years, or thereabouts.
Rivals would possibly chuckle on the lack of silverware. It has been 4 years since Arteta’s unit defeated Chelsea within the FA Cup remaining, earlier than the Spaniard had even loved a full time period or certainly a pre-season to inculcate his teachings.
The Gunners had a mountain to climb earlier than reclaiming their place on the forefront of the Premier League, and whereas the summit has not but been scaled, with Manchester Metropolis pushing to increase their unprecedented 4 successive triumphs, Arteta has been his former grasp Pep Guardiola’s central title rival throughout the previous two years.
Having bolstered with the statements signings of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Declan Rice, who arrived from West Ham United in a deal value £105m final summer time, Arsenal may afford to be extra opportunistic out there, evidenced by the choice to pounce on Raheem Sterling.
|
Arsenal beneath Mikel Arteta within the Premier League |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Video games |
Factors |
Place |
|
2024/25 |
3 |
7 |
4 |
|
2023/24 |
38 |
89 |
2 |
|
2022/23 |
38 |
84 |
2 |
|
2021/22 |
38 |
69 |
5 |
|
2020/21 |
38 |
61 |
8 |
|
2019/20* |
38 |
56 |
8 |
|
Sourced by way of Transfermarkt *Arteta took over in December |
|||
Signing Mikel Merino was probably the most necessary components of the window, successfully changing Granit Xhaka, but it surely was the deal to signal Riccardo Calafiori that might have a major impression on the Gunners down the road.
Why Arsenal signed Riccaro Calafiori
Arsenal have already got a various set of high defenders, and although a number of gamers have been shipped out throughout the summer time months, the backline was left comparatively untouched. However nonetheless, Calafiori had caught Arteta’s eye.
In July, after performing as a shining mild all through Italy’s troublesome summer time marketing campaign, Arsenal accomplished a £42m transfer to buy him from Bologna, the place he had dazzled because the Serie A facet defied expectations to safe a spot within the 2024/25 Champions League.
Assertive, technically adept and tactically dynamic, Calafiori is the prototypical trendy defender, showcasing his qualities for Italy throughout Euro 2024 and main expertise scout Jacek Kulig to assert that it was “the start of one thing particular” for the rising star.
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Riccardo Calafiori: Stats vs Albania |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
# |
|
Minutes performed |
90′ |
|
Touches |
117 |
|
Correct passes |
99/106 (93%) |
|
Key passes |
1 |
|
Lengthy balls |
2/4 |
|
Dribble makes an attempt |
2/2 |
|
Tackles |
1 |
|
Clearances |
3 |
His efficiency in opposition to Albania alone was sufficient to recommend that he has all of the instruments to craft a profitable profession on English shores, so influential and commanding in calling for the ball and dictating play from the again.
It is clear to see why. Calafiori’s ball-carrying experience and athletic advantage performs proper into Arteta’s tactical set-up, rating among the many high 1% of centre-backs throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for assists, the highest 2% for shot-creating actions, the highest 19% for cross completion, the highest 20% for passes tried, the highest 18% for progressive carries and the highest 6% for profitable take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
It is no shock that he’s usually positioned on the left facet of the defence, together with his tempo and ball expertise making him an exquisite participant for Arsenal, driving the ball ahead and utilizing his skill to stretch the traces and create overloads, which may work wonders for high ball-possessing groups that recurrently face compact low blocks.
The 22-year-old just isn’t the highest canine but although. He is loved substitute appearances in each of Arsenal’s latest league outings after sitting via the opening-day victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on the bench.
He isn’t displaced Gabriel Magalhaes within the beginning lineup, with the Brazil worldwide probably certainly one of Arteta’s most underrated skills.
Why Gabriel Magalhaes continues to be key for Arsenal
Arteta signed Gabriel from French facet Lille for about £23m in September 2020, becoming a member of on a long-term contract as Arteta sought to piece collectively a workforce able to competing for Champions League qualification on an annual foundation.
He is had ups and downs all through his Premier League profession, however Gabriel has been a mighty presence on the rear over the previous few years, with former Arsenal right-back Lauren even saying: “There isn’t a greater centre-back partnership than Gabriel and William Saliba within the Premier League.”
His bond with France worldwide Saliba has been a factor to behold, maintaining 18 clear sheets within the Premier League final 12 months as Arsenal gained the Golden Glove comfortably.
It isn’t exhausting to see why he is so extremely favoured. As per Sofascore, the 26-year-old accomplished 89% of his passes within the league final 12 months whereas averaging 0.7 key passes per sport and popping out on high in 66% of his floor duels.
Hailed as a “beast” by journalist Robert Lutesich, Gabriel has but to overlook a minute for Arsenal this season and proved essential in maintaining clear sheets throughout the primary two fixtures.
He is a high, high defender, and that is evidenced via his present market worth, far above that of Calafiori…
Gabriel Magalhaes’ market worth in 2024
Calafiori has not been within the Premier League lengthy however there’s certainly each indication that he’ll go from power to power beneath Arteta’s management, particularly given the balmy situations in north London proper now.
However Gabriel is not any pushover, with Transfermarkt even recording that he’s valued at £59m proper now, a good stretch above that of his new Italian teammate’s £42m switch payment.
If it ain’t broke, do not repair it. That is to not say that Arteta and Edu have been flawed to make their transfer for Calafiori, who can function throughout two positions and strengthens the workforce additional because it seems to be to compete for silverware throughout 4 fronts, however Gabriel is sort of the accomplice for prized possession Saliba, and he should proceed to earn a berth within the beginning line up, guiding Arsenal ever nearer to an elusive slice of silverware.
