It may have only been Dinamo Zagreb, but in the context of last month, Arsenal’s Champions League victory last night seemed like an important victory.
Mikel Arteta’s side cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory, and although most of the starters put in good performances, it was another lackluster performance from Raheem Sterling.
The Chelsea loanee was the latest player to replace the injured Bukayo Saka but, unsurprisingly, he was unable to replicate even a fraction of Hale Ender’s sensational impact.
Saka’s season so far | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Competition | First | UCL | EFL Cup |
Appearances | 16 | 5 | 3 |
Minutes | 1276′ | 433′ | 119′ |
Goals | 5 | 4 | 0 |
Aids | 10 | 2 | 1 |
Implications in goals per match | 0.93 | 1.2 | 0.33 |
Minutes per goal involvement | 85.06′ | 72.16′ | 119′ |
In his defense, it’s a near-impossible task because, before getting injured last month, the 23-year-old was undoubtedly playing at world level, even if those around him weren’t.
So, recent reports that the club are now agreeing to personal terms with a striker who looks like he could help shoulder some of the offensive burden once he returns from injury should excite fans.
Arsenal target Premier League star
According to a recent report from Football TransfersArsenal continue to search for a new centre-forward this month and have now moved forward in pursuit of Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha.
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The report reveals that the two Premier League finalists have now agreed personal terms with the player himself and a potential contract will pose no problems. He has not yet signed the new deal that Old Gold is offering him.
However, while this is certainly encouraging news for the north Londoners, the report also clarifies that as things stand, the two teams are far apart in terms of the player’s valuation, with West Midlands outfit demanding a fee in excess of £70million, while the Gunners are unwilling to exceed £45million “for a player who is not considered a priority target”.
Overall, it seems like Arsenal will have to spend more than they would like to secure this transfer, but given Cunha’s ability, it seems like something worth doing, especially that he could be incredible alongside Saka.
Why Cunha would be an unreal teammate for Saka
So, beyond the positive momentum such a signing would surely bring to Arsenal this season, there are a few key reasons why Cunha would be such an incredible teammate for Saka once he returns from injury, and the first depends on its production.
For example, the Wolves star has been in sensational form this season, and in just 22 appearancestotaling 1717 minutes, accumulated ten goals and four assists.
This means the “incredible” striker, as journalist Alex Richards calls him, is currently averaging a goal every 1.57 games, or every 122.64 minutes, which is undeniably brilliant for a team facing relegation. .
Cunha versus Havertz | ||
|---|---|---|
Player | ||
Appearances | 22 | 30 |
Minutes | 1717′ | 2486′ |
Goals | 10 | 14 |
Aids | 4 | 4 |
Implications in goals per match | 0.63 | 0.60 |
Minutes per goal involvement | 122.64′ | 138.11′ |
All statistics via Transftrading market | ||
Plus, considering that the Gunners’ current top scorer, Kai Havertz, has scored 14 goals and four assists in 30 appearances, totaling 2486 minutes, which equates to an average of one goal every 1.66 games, or 138.11 minutes, you start to imagine how much more dangerous Hale Ender could be with the Brazilian much more effective to his left.
The second reason why the former Atlético Madrid star would be a dream teammate for the Englishman is linked to the first and is the simple fact that he would keep defenders busy.
By this we mean that because of his performance level and the dynamic way he can enter teams, he will be more of a target for opposing defenders than Havertz currently is, which in turn could free up more space for the North Londoners’ Mercurial number seven to operate and thus impact the games himself.
Ultimately, Arsenal need some attacking reinforcements this month, and while it may cost more than they would like, the club should do what they can to sign Cunha, as not only would he bring him -even more goals for the team, but he would also help Saka reach another level.
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Arsenal sealed a comfortable 3-0 win over Zagreb in the Champions League.
