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Julian #Brandt; A Thread | I think the #AFC fanbase recently have - and with some understanding - cried out for a progressive & creative central player when it became clear Ozil was ostracized. Hence the desire for a player like Szoboszlai. Brandt offers just that (1/13) #Arsenal
Though he received high praise during his time as a left-winger at Leverkusen for his ability to provide from wide areas, technical qualities, his best creative numbers up to that point at the BayArena came in his final season there through the middle (2/13)
His ability on the ball and aptitude at driving play in possession made him rather effective as both a central attacking midfielder, and deeper as an 8. He offers a much more offensively-oriented and direct option a la Santi Cazorla after his transition deeper (3/13)
There are questions about inconsistency; for me, that's not a concern. Much of his struggles this current season - IMO - are directly tied to Dortmund's disjointed problems on the pitch. Brandt last season is a prime example of what Arsenal could hope for (4/13)
Some say he would struggle in the PL, without understanding some of the differences. Yes, the PL is more physical than the Bundesliga, but BL clubs press even more than in England & this is supported by showing clubs regularly featuring in Europe's top-5 in those metrics (5/13)
To build on that, the Bundesliga is a better league on a tactical level, and in that knowledge, it's easy to understand that teams are better drilled on average to play through or bypass the press. When that occurs, physicality becomes a moot point (6/13)
Comparisons to the struggles of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz will inevitably be made, but when you observe Chelsea - particularly yesterday - both players are so often isolated on the pitch when pressed, often by two players & thus physical play is that much more daunting (7/13)
How would Brandt fit into Arsenal at current? There are two options (IMO). Either in the hole behind the striker as a highly mobile 10 (akin to how ESR featured), or, as a Santi-style 8 alongside Partey when he's fully fit. Both would be suitable given the days need (8/13)
Unsure whether he would be realistic, however. He's not even two-years into his spell in the Ruhr valley, a new manager (Marco Rose, for example) could very easily rejuvenate him where Lucien Favre lost him this season (9/13)
Financially as well, his current value is ~30-35m, and would at the very least cost 40m. With Arsenal sure to take even more losses than last term, and Europe a long-shot currently, funding the move may be tricky (10/13)
Dortmund are unlikely to want to sell the player in January as well, certainly without having Favre's replacement having a look regarding needs on the pitch. Bellingham isn't ready to take over, who knows where Guerreiro will be utilized, and Dahoud remains bit-part (11/13)
Finally - why Arsenal? A club who very likely will not provide Europe next season, remains disjointed on the pitch, and who seem dedicated to fast-tracking Cirjan & Azeez, while ESR's hopeful development seems to be a highlight as well. Does Brandt make sense? (12/13)
He's the type of player the club needs, and brings an immediate - and gifted - solution to our current struggles in midfield both technically and tactically. He's 100% good enough for the club, and should walk into the XI if a deal ever did come off for him (13/13) #AFC
