Arsenal head into the January transfer window eight points clear. One of the biggest discussions around the club is to do with who they will sign during this crucial period. Since there is a chance to guarantee Champions League football and potentially win the league, there is a lot of excitement.
One name that has been doing the rounds a lot is that of Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk. The exciting youngster who has just turned 22 has been a revelation this season both domestically as well as in Europe. So, why are the Gunners so keen on getting him to the Emirates? Before we look at that, there are a couple of points that need to be looked at.
Emile Smith Rowe – The Central Midfielder
This is not a position that many people would associate with the No.10 but it is quite possibly where his future lies. In particular, the space that Granit Xhaka has so superbly filled can benefit from the qualities that Smith Rowe has.
This was quite evident in the Newcastle United game where the north Londoners did not have much space to work with. But if you were to take a closer look, you would notice that there are more than a few instances where a player could have driven at the Newcastle defence.
For all his strengths, Xhaka is not that kind of player as he does not have the agility or pace to do so. This is where the Englishman comes in as Smith Rowe has shown time and again. Arsenal have their central midfielders playing a little higher and that would suit the 22-year-old perfectly.
Now, what does this have to do with Mudryk? Well, if this is the direction that Mikel Arteta chooses to go in, that opens up a slot on the left wing. Whether it is to compete with Gabriel Martinelli or be a backup for the Brazilian, Mudryk would be a great option.
Martinelli Part 2?
One of the most striking aspects of seeing the Ukraine international play is just how direct and fast he is. You might be thinking that the north Londoners do not use counter attacks all that much but that is not the case. Arteta has his team springing forward quickly whenever the team wins the ball in their own half.
This sort of situation is perfect for a player like Mudryk who has enough pace to beat the fastest full back in the world. Whether he is brought on as a sub to target a tiring defence or if he plays from the start, the Shakhtar Donetsk star has the skill and speed to make an impact.
And this kind of young talent adds to the quality that is already present at the Emirates. Week in and week out, fans are waiting to see their heroes take to the field and sometimes tickets are not available thanks to the sheer demand. Adding an exciting player such as the boy wonder from Ukraine will only add to this excitement.
If you have been finding it difficult to get a chance to see your favourite stars live, fear not there is a solution. All you have to do is go to the right source for Arsenal tickets and you will be in a position to see the likes of Saka, Odegaard and perhaps Mudryk also take to the field.
With Arsenal challenging for the Premier League title, tickets are running out fast. Fans would’ve been out of options on official websites, but reseller platforms provide a lifeline for fans to enjoy the action in the stadium.
What About The Price?
This is perhaps the biggest question mark surrounding the deal and is the prime reasons for the delay in the deal going through. Will Arsenal be willing to play what the Ukrainian giants want? And if not, what number would constitute a compromise between the two clubs. To answer this question, we need to look into the numbers a little more.
From the beginning, it has been said in the media that Mudryk would be sold for a deal close to £100m. Now, as the selling club, Shakhtar are free to set any price they want but it is not the same as a release clause. So, it indicates that there is some wiggle room, and the Gunners can bring the fee down.
The north Londoners are not really the type of team to spend £88m on one player so something has to give. And there are suggestions that Chelsea are waiting on the wings (literally speaking) to pounce on this transfer. If there is one certainty, it is that the west Londoners have more financial might and are not afraid of spending big.
So, it becomes a question of when do the Gunners walk away from the deal if the fee cannot be brought down. Transfer negotiations are an incredibly intricate process and we do not get to see the nuances of it, most of the time. There is still a lot of time left in the transfer window so, we could see more twists and turns.
If Not Mudryk, Then Who?
Now, there are a lot of fans who might be thinking that the club should focus on a cheaper alternative. For that, there are a couple of names that come to mind and both are from one Premier League club. Leandro Trossard and Kaoru Mitoma have shown that they have real quality, especially the former.
The best part about a potential deal for Trossard is that he is out of contract in the summer. That should make it easier to negotiate with Brighton, a team that is known for being extremely firm in their stance. Having the Belgian will offer Arteta multiple options as he is able to play on the flanks as well as through the middle.
Getting hold of Mitoma would be harder as the Japan international is on a longer contract and therefore would cost more. So, the Gunners can go for the more economically efficient option and bring in Trossard. While it is important to add quality to the squad, it should not be done at the cost of breaking the financial structure.
Conclusion
Finally, it comes down to how much Arsenal are willing to pay for Mudryk and where Shakhtar are willing to compromise. The looming threat of Chelsea is a problem as they do have the ability to pay what is being asked. It is a bit of a balancing act for the north Londoners who need to make a decision quickly. The title is there for the taking and adding some depth would go a long way in helping that.
The Gunners need to be proactive in making decisions as it can affect the short and long-term future of the club. A player of the potential of Mudryk would be a massive boost to the talent pool and it is clear to see why the club are so keen on bringing him to the Emirates.
If there is one thing that the transfer window has taught us, it is never say never. We do not know how this deal is going to pan out but fans will hope that Arsenal can come out of it with a talent that can complement the players already here. Whether that is a young emerging superstar or a proven player from the Premier League, remains to be seen.
