Arsenal were widely expected to complete the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk this January. But in a strange turn of events, the winger ended up in the hands of Chelsea. Now, this would normally be seen a disappointment for the Gunners but that should not be the case.
The early indications are that this failed deal could prove to be a real blessing in disguise for the Premier League leaders. Before we get into that, it is important to look at what the club would have gained from signing the Ukraine international. As seen during his Chelsea debut, the 22-year-old is an electric player capable of bamboozling defenders.
Having someone like that would have helped the club as it will complement the other forwards and help create more chances. But the cost of this transfer which might have eventually touched £100m Euros would have left the squad worse off.
The Replacement
Once it was revealed that Mudryk was heading to Stamford Bridge, it was clear that the north Londoners would look at a replacement. But since they had shown willingness to pay a lot of money, other clubs would have been aware of it. This would have weakened the club’s negotiating position. So, it was necessary to look elsewhere where you could find value for money.
That came from the south coast of England as the Gunners swopped in to sign Leandro Trossard from Brighton and Hove Albion. The Belgian was going to be out of contract soon and had fallen out with his now former manager. The stage was set for the Premier League leaders to take advantage of this situation.
Now, Trossard is nowhere as explosive as Mudryk but the 28-year-old has certain perks. One of them is that he has proven himself in the league and needs no time to get acclimatised. Another perk is that he is able to play in various positions and versatility is one quality that Mikel Arteta values a lot. While Arsenal didn’t get the player with a higher ceiling, they have found one who complements their squad in various ways.
The Depth Option
One of the biggest differences between the north Londoners and Manchester City is the squad depth. While the reigning champions are filled to the brim with world class talent, the same cannot be said of those at the Emirates. While Arteta has an excellent first XI to choose, the depth is not really at the required level.
This means that certain players need to play matches that they shouldn’t really have to. One example and perhaps the biggest victim of this lack of squad depth is Brazilian centre back Gabriel. The defender has played almost every game as he is the only player who is left footed and can play in this position.
With the club not having much in Pablo Mari who is out on loan, it was time to look for another option. And in a surprising turn of events, they have almost wrapped the signing of Polish international Jakub Kiwior without much noise. That is perhaps the best part of the signing as no one really knew about this transfer until it was more or less confirmed.
While Kiwior might not be a recognised name, he has qualities that the north Londoners admire. He primarily plays a centre back, is left footed, has an excellent range of passing. Apart from all this, he can also be deployed as a defensive midfielder. And given the low fee of around £21m, there is a lot of upside to this deal.
The Rising Star
The good news for the fans is that the Gunners do not appear to be done in the transfer window. They are also looking at bringing in Ivan Fresneda from Spanish club Real Valladolid. The youngster who plays as a right back would most certainly be one for the future. But the reason to be excited by this transfer is the profile of the player.
It is clear that the north Londoners like to use their full backs differently when compared to most other clubs. This can be seen in the way Ben White and Alex Zinchenko operate. They sometimes slot in as an extra central midfielder and that helps the team maintain its shape.
If you are wondering what this has to do with Fresneda, it is because the Valladolid man plays in a similar fashion. Having originally started as a midfielder, the Spaniard is able to use his tactical intelligence and passing to help maintain shape as well as the tempo. These qualities would be great for the Gunners who could use him as a counteracting force when playing Kieran Tierney.
Getting that balance right is key for a team that functions at the level that Arsenal does. Arteta can use his countryman in the same way he makes use of Zinchenko. It will also give Tierney a new lease of life as he can focus more on what he does best. The Scot is excellent at getting forward and if there is another player on the flank looking after the midfield, he can motor on without any fear.
The Outcome
While Mudryk would have been the flashier signing given his world class potential, it may not have been the right decision in the long-term. By using the money that had set aside for the Ukrainian, the Gunners have ensured that have a more complete squad.
Getting these players in gives the club a lot of options to play around with. It relieves the pressure on Gabriel and also helps Takehiro Tomiyasu play as a centre back if and when needed. And fans are going to see just why losing out on Mudryk does not mean that the there is no excitement around the Emirates.
The squad is in the middle of a title challenge and the north Londoners have added some quality options to their armoury. Getting to see this team play has become a prize almost given how quickly the tickets get sold out. Arsenal tickets are among the best selling in the league and if you want some, head to the right place.
Conclusion
Sometimes the shiny object can do more harm than good. This is especially true in the transfer market where new stars are made every few months. The north Londoners have prioritised their overall growth over an individual star, and they are sure to reap the rewards of that.
Arteta and Edu have shown that they get these transfers right more often than not. So, fans need to place their trust in them and get behind the players that are brought in. A player such as Trossard could prove to be the one that makes a difference. To compete with clubs such as City, you need a deep squad that is filled with quality.
Arsenal have stuck to their guns (no pun intended) and are reaping the rewards because of it. There is a long way left to go this season and there are sure to be a lot of twists and turns. But without a squad that has talent and versatility, it will be tough to reach where you want to. Losing one player could potentially be a great thing to happen and that is not something many would have expected.
