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[THREAD] With the January transfer window now open, Arsenal have made it clear they intend to be busy with both incomings and outgoings. Surprisingly, Dani Ceballos has popped up on the potential outgoing list. Here’s why Arsenal shouldn’t allow Ceballos to return to Real Madrid:
![[THREAD] With the January transfer window now open, Arsenal have made it clear they intend to be busy with both incomings and outgoings. Surprisingly, Dani Ceballos has popped up on the potential outgoing list. Here’s why Arsenal shouldn’t allow Ceballos to return to Real Madrid:](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqvCDEUW4AAAUaJ.jpg "[THREAD] With the January transfer window now open, Arsenal have made it clear they intend to be busy with both incomings and outgoings. Surprisingly, Dani Ceballos has popped up on the potential outgoing list. Here’s why Arsenal shouldn’t allow Ceballos to return to Real Madrid:")
Dani Ceballos is a player who has been misunderstood since his first day at Arsenal. Most Arsenal fans thought he’d provide competition for Mesut Ozil in a playmaking role behind a striker but in reality, Ceballos prefers operating in a deeper role.
His best period in an Arsenal shirt to date came playing on the right of a double pivot at the back end of the 18/19 season alongside Granit Xhaka. He produced 105 progressive passes last year, an adequate return considering he missed a fair portion of last season through injury.
Deep midfield has turned into something of a problem area for Arsenal this year. Ceballos has struggled for form, Thomas Partey has suffered with injury issues, Granit Xhaka has been inconsistent, and the jury is out over Mo Elneny’s ability to play regularly for a top club
As it stands, Ceballos, Xhaka and Elneny are competing to partner Thomas Partey in Mikel Arteta’s midfield. Unfortunately for Ceballos, it appears that he is currently the least likely to partner the Ghanaian upon the star signing’s return to action.
Despite his lack of minutes this campaign, statistically, Dani Ceballos has been Arsenal’s best central midfielder. In 8 starts, he’s completed 66 progressive actions. Elneny has only registered 29 while Granit Xhaka has recorded 68 in 11 starts.
Ceballos has been our most progressive player. In a team who dominate possession, ball progression is possibly the most important aspect of a deep-lying midfielder’s game. Ceballos excels in this regard.
However, it isn’t just on the ball that he has impressed statistically. Off the ball, he is better than most give him credit for. He’s completed 33 tackles and interceptions alongside 133 pressing actions, ranking the highest of all Arsenal midfielders in both criteria.
Offensively, statistics suggest Ceballos is enjoying one of his best seasons ever. His xA/90 stands at 0.19. For context, Mesut Özil registered an xA/90 of just 0.14 last season. He’s also completed 13 key passes this year. In contrast, Elneny’s completed 3, Xhaka just 1.
Unfortunately for Ceballos, football isn’t played on a stats’ sheet. By the visuals, he hasn’t been good enough. Misplaced passes have been common, and his on-field theatrics have often been frustrating. The quality is there, but he needs to up his game.
Yet, if Mikel Arteta is going to stand by the 4-2-4-1 that has helped Arsenal resurge in recent times, he needs Ceballos. Due to Xhaka and Ceballos’ common lack of mobility, they struggle to work in tandem. Next to the ultra-mobile Thomas Partey, both have the potential to thrive
Despite his recent preference for Elneny and Xhaka, the numbers suggest Ceballos should be the man to slot in alongside Thomas Partey in the coming weeks. With Partey breaking up play next to him, the shackles could be taken off Ceballos’ shoulders defensively.
If Mikel Arteta can get Ceballos back to his best, expertly progressing the ball to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, Arsenal could be on to a VERY good thing. The key will be unlocking Ceballos’ potential. One thing is for certain, he shouldn’t be sold.
[END OF THREAD]
Thank you if you’ve taken the time out of your day to have a read of this analysis. If you enjoyed it, I’d really appreciate it if you retweeted/liked my work. Cheers
![[END OF THREAD]Thank you if you’ve taken the time out of your day to have a read of this analysis. If you enjoyed it, I’d really appreciate it if you retweeted/liked my work. Cheers](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqvD2OgXIAEJMje.jpg "[END OF THREAD]Thank you if you’ve taken the time out of your day to have a read of this analysis. If you enjoyed it, I’d really appreciate it if you retweeted/liked my work. Cheers")
Thank you if you’ve taken the time out of your day to have a read of this analysis. If you enjoyed it, I’d really appreciate it if you retweeted/liked my work. Cheers
