Arsenal is just a week away from the start of the new campaign and will meet Manchester United at Old Trafford to launch the latest quest for the Premier League title.
The defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal have left plenty of preseason results behind, raising concerns within the shooter’s fanbase.
Following the £64 million acquisition of Sports Lisbon’s Viktor Gyoker, the mood should have been lifted after scoring 97 goals in 102 matches over two seasons, but scoring 97 goals for the two-row La Portuguese champions, lacking the flow and cutting edge that many would like to see from the off.
Again, there is no reason to panic at all. After all, this is just a preseason. And while the people of North London have signed a series of signings to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s team, one or two more creative additions may still be made this month.
Arsenal is aiming to sign more
According to reporter Ben Jacobs, Arsenal has been locked in a long bid for Crystal Palace Talisman Ebeki Eze.
However, negotiations are prolonged and there is a suggestion that the Spurs are eager to hijack the move, as they will need to replace the injured James Madison.
With Leandro Trossard, who is deciding to leave Emirates Stadium, Arsenal may still sign the left winger. Real Madrid’s Rodrigo was a permanent link this summer, but this is a difficult thing to complete, with the Los Blancos valuing a versatile forward of over £78 million.
But Arsenal isn’t just looking at a strictly creative player who creates potential opportunities for one of the most talented central midfielders in the Premier League.
Arsenal enters the PL midfielder race
According to offside, Arsenal joined the swollen puck tracking Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, and Manchester United led the race after meeting in person with the player’s aides.
The 21-year-old Baleba is considered one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents in British football, worth £104 million by Seagulls who don’t want to sell.
A dynamic and box-to-box player, Baleba became famous not only for his steel physicality, but for his technical qualities.
Why should Arsenal sign Carlos Valleva?
Brighton signed Valleva from the Reel for about £23 million in June 2023 and quickly joined Chelsea with a British record fee as a direct replacement for outbound Moises Caseco.
Over the past two seasons, Brighton’s Cameroon-born talent has become an increasingly significant presence, featuring 77 times more and more in the competition.
Arsenal is clearly one of the most talented midfielders in the world as England International signed Rice for £105 million from West Ham United in June 2023 after England International led David Moye’s side to the conference league title.
That large number, a club record, has been proven over the past two years. Although Rice has yet to taste silverware as a gunner, he has been a staple food throughout a period of sustained pressure at the highest level of football and was named the men’s Ballon d’Or candidate earlier this week.
Premier League – Baleva (24/25) vs Rice (22/23) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (*per game) | Baleva | Rice |
Match (start) | 34 (31) | 35 (33) |
the goal | 3 | 4 |
assist | 1 | 7 |
touch* | 54.0 | 57.6 |
Pass completed | 88% | 90% |
A big opportunity has been created | 3 | 16 |
Key Pass* | 0.6 | 1.7 |
dribble* | 1.0 | 0.4 |
Ball recovery* | 6.66 | 9.18 |
Tackle + Intercept* | 3.7 | 2.2 |
Duels (winning)* | 5.9 (55%) | 3.4 (51%) |
Data based on sofa score | ||
As you can see, Baleba plays to an astonishing level, and although the Arsenal sense is a creative force, he can even argue that when he plays his final year as iron, he is equivalent to rice. With that in mind, you can imagine the Heights Baleba that Baleba can reach under the guidance of Arteta.
The Albion man has also been ranked in the top 12% of European top five league position peers over the past year, with successful take-ons about 90 according to FBREF, highlighting his athletic ability to carry the ball.
A successful take-on is recorded when the player defeats the opponent while bringing the ball directly into the possession.
Strong forward Strides are identified through Rice’s skill set, and when Baleva focuses on defensive work, there can be a neat sense of flow between the two, but different.
Saying “sparkly” by one analyst, Baleba has established himself and then established several in Premier League rungs under Arsenal on the ladder, but has shown similar talent to note.
His incredible blend of almost every midfield skill required by his type of roaming player highlights how impressive he is and, in fact, how he can benefit Arteta’s Arsenal transition.
Like Rice, Baleva was able to lead herself into a £100 million conversation, but that’s not easy. The power, pace and joy of playing football are solid comments on how he can improve Arteta’s project and strengthen the engine room.
After all, he showed that he has a ferocious ball-striking element in his game and that he is blessed with the physicality to recharge Arsenal’s high-octane team.
Baleba may be an ongoing job, but he has already proven that he has what it takes to achieve genuine success in the Premier League, and if Arsenal can pull it apart, they will not only replicate Rice Blinder, but also sign the dream partners of the three Lion Superstars, allowing the duo to dominate for many years.
