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I used data to find Arsenal a replacement for Bellerin. A thread.
First of all, what's the issue?
Bellerin, although in my opinion a player who's slightly underrated, probably isn't good enough to match Arsenal's long-term aspirations post-ACL.
In attack he's probably right around average, and on the other end of the pitch, he's worse.
Bellerin, although in my opinion a player who's slightly underrated, probably isn't good enough to match Arsenal's long-term aspirations post-ACL.
In attack he's probably right around average, and on the other end of the pitch, he's worse.
Although this isn't a priority position for Arsenal in the summer, using the spare funds the club may have after purchasing big forwards to pay for a new RB definitely seems beneficial.
So,
So,
CRITERIA:
. U28 - Must be pre/in his prime
. Cheap - RB isn't a priority position, the money spent should reflect that
. Technical quality - We're looking to impose ourselves, he must be good on the ball
. Defence - Has to be Average at worst on defence
. U28 - Must be pre/in his prime
. Cheap - RB isn't a priority position, the money spent should reflect that
. Technical quality - We're looking to impose ourselves, he must be good on the ball
. Defence - Has to be Average at worst on defence
TARGETS:
With the help of FbREF, I filtered out a shortlist of players who excelled in stats based on the criteria. I mostly looked at:
Progressive passes per game
Passes/Crosses/Carries into the box per game
Tackle success %
Shot-creating actions per game (open play)
With the help of FbREF, I filtered out a shortlist of players who excelled in stats based on the criteria. I mostly looked at:
Progressive passes per game
Passes/Crosses/Carries into the box per game
Tackle success %
Shot-creating actions per game (open play)
SHORTLIST:
The following 4 players made it through:
- Leo Dubois
- Giovanni Di Lorenzo
- Junior Sambia
- Fabien Centonze***
Honourable mentions:
Achraf Hakimi: Will cost ≈£40M
Hamari Traore: Is too old
Zeki Celik: Just missed out
Jonathan Clauss: Is too old
The following 4 players made it through:
- Leo Dubois
- Giovanni Di Lorenzo
- Junior Sambia
- Fabien Centonze***
Honourable mentions:
Achraf Hakimi: Will cost ≈£40M
Hamari Traore: Is too old
Zeki Celik: Just missed out
Jonathan Clauss: Is too old
*** The original shortlist was 3 players but Centonze had an interesting profile and was pretty unknown to most, so I put him through as a wildcard
SCOUTING:
The next step was to watch the players and evaluate them, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses
SCOUTING:
The next step was to watch the players and evaluate them, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses
Leo Dubois:
+++ Good delivery, can take set pieces too
++ Smart, picks passes well
+ Confident with the ball and carries when needed
+ Will play combinations with winger/midfield
+ Decent technically
- Average pace
-- Small and weak, will get pinned and spun by bigger forwards
+++ Good delivery, can take set pieces too
++ Smart, picks passes well
+ Confident with the ball and carries when needed
+ Will play combinations with winger/midfield
+ Decent technically
- Average pace
-- Small and weak, will get pinned and spun by bigger forwards
Giovanni Di Lorenzo:
+++ Will overlap consistently, intense
++ Smart passer, will help find chances vs blocks
++ Big engine, up and down player
+ Good delivery
+ Quick
- Average agility
- Crossing ability falls a lot when running at speed
-- Will not dribble 1v1
+++ Will overlap consistently, intense
++ Smart passer, will help find chances vs blocks
++ Big engine, up and down player
+ Good delivery
+ Quick
- Average agility
- Crossing ability falls a lot when running at speed
-- Will not dribble 1v1
Junior Sambia:
+++ Can hit floated/whipped/driven crosses consistently
++ Strong in duels
+ Can dribble 1v1
+ Decent technically
+ Decent in the air
- Questions about stamina
- Lacks natural agility, lethargic
- Passive when defending 1v1's, opponents can get shot/crosses off
+++ Can hit floated/whipped/driven crosses consistently
++ Strong in duels
+ Can dribble 1v1
+ Decent technically
+ Decent in the air
- Questions about stamina
- Lacks natural agility, lethargic
- Passive when defending 1v1's, opponents can get shot/crosses off
Fabien Centonze:
+++ Intense defensively
+++ Very active 1v1, won't let opponent get shots/crosses off
++ Good 1v1 technique defensively
++ Fast & Agile
+ Decent in the air
- Can play with his head down sometimes
- Won't overlap very often
- Questions about technical ability
+++ Intense defensively
+++ Very active 1v1, won't let opponent get shots/crosses off
++ Good 1v1 technique defensively
++ Fast & Agile
+ Decent in the air
- Can play with his head down sometimes
- Won't overlap very often
- Questions about technical ability
RANKINGS:
4th: Fabien Centonze 
Interesting player with good athleticism and defending. Probably not good enough on the ball to be considered for Arsenal though.
Interesting player with good athleticism and defending. Probably not good enough on the ball to be considered for Arsenal though.
3rd: Junior Sambia
Since being moved to right back this season, he's become a completely different player. Maybe a step up to Arsenal is a bit steep but it'll be interesting to see his development over the next few months
Since being moved to right back this season, he's become a completely different player. Maybe a step up to Arsenal is a bit steep but it'll be interesting to see his development over the next few months
2nd: Giovanni Di Lorenzo 
Slightly old, but with the technical ability to help support In attack, I think this would be a nice signing
Slightly old, but with the technical ability to help support In attack, I think this would be a nice signing
1st: Leo Dubois
Considering the financial troubles of Ligue 1 and Lyon. Buying a player who offers enough in possesion, quality on set pieces and a good final ball seems like a good idea, and despite some flaws, Dubois ticks those boxes.
Considering the financial troubles of Ligue 1 and Lyon. Buying a player who offers enough in possesion, quality on set pieces and a good final ball seems like a good idea, and despite some flaws, Dubois ticks those boxes.
CONCLUTION:
This list tries to make up for a slight lack of quality, in value. Arsenal should be prioritising buying big forwards in the summer, and by picking wisely in positions like right-back, the club can loosen up funds for a game-changer, to take them to the next level.
This list tries to make up for a slight lack of quality, in value. Arsenal should be prioritising buying big forwards in the summer, and by picking wisely in positions like right-back, the club can loosen up funds for a game-changer, to take them to the next level.
Thanks for reading
