The Gunners didn’t take long to move on from their target player in the transfer market this winter, Mykhailo Mudryk. After finally anchoring to Stamford Bridge with a total transfer fee of 100 million Euros, Arsenal have now found a replacement for Mudryk.
Moussa Diaby, a winger currently playing for German league club Bayer Leverkusen is such a figure. According to reports from Skysports, Arsenal have made contact with Bayer Leverkusen regarding the purchase of the 23-year-old winger. Moussa Diaby is one of the key players for Bayer Leverkusen. Positionally, Diaby is a fairly flexible player. Right wing is the main position he plays, but he can also play as a left wing, attacking midfielder or striker.
Since 2019, the French international has scored a total of 43 goals in 146 matches for Bayer Leverkusen. The 2021/2022 season was his best season, where he managed to score 13 goals and 12 assists in 32 matches in the Bundesliga. This record made him known as one of the best wingers in the Bundesliga. Meanwhile this season, Diaby has collected 8 goals and 4 assists from 22 matches in all competitions.
Previously, Diaby was linked with news of his move to Arsenal, before Arsenal started seriously pursuing Mudryk.
But it seems Arsenal will not be easy to get this one player. According to news from Twitter @JacobsBen, Bayer Leverkusen do not want to sell him in the middle of the season but are willing to accept offers in the summer. With a note, these players will not be sold at a cheap price. The French player is estimated to cost 100 million Euros.
It’s not without reason that Arsenal are seriously hunting forward players this January. Because, the depth of their squad, especially on the front lines is not too good. Since Gabriel Jesus was injured at the last World Cup, Arsenal have had no other choice but to play the Martinelli — Nketiah — Saka trio in every game they have played.
Now Arsenal has the opportunity to win in the three competitions he is still participating in, namely the Premier League, FA Cup and European League. For that, good squad depth is needed. Moussa Diaby, who plays on the wing, will be a competitor to Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli at Arsenal. To find out his quality, here is a statistical comparison of Diaby with Saka and Martinelli in the league this season.
Attack
Goals: Diaby (6) — Saka (6) — Martinelli (7)
Assists: Diaby (3) — Saka (7) — Martinelli (2)
Goals per 90 minutes: Diaby (0.43) — Saka (0.35) — Martinelli (0.41)
Shots per 90 minutes: Diaby (1.65) — Saka (0.70) — Martinelli (1.70)
Chances created per 90 minutes: Diaby (0.31) — Saka (0.43) — Martinelli (0.34)
Successful dribbles per 90 minutes: Diaby (1.36) — Saka (1.23) — Martinelli (1.82)
Accurate passes per 90 minutes: Diaby (23.6) — Saka (27.2) — Martinelli (24.1)
Defense
Successful tackles per 90 minutes: Diaby (0.43) — Saka (0.76) — Martinelli (0.59)
Blocks per 90 minutes: Diaby (0.36) — Saka (0.53) — Martinelli (0.88)
Intercepts per 90 minutes: Diaby (0.21) — Saka (0.59) — Martinelli (0.41)
Possession won in the opposition half every 90 minutes: Diaby (0.50) — Saka (0.88) — Martinelli (0.47)
Overall, Diaby’s statistics are not as good as the two Arsenal players above, especially from the defensive side. Diaby’s defensive matrix must be even better to be able to play the counterpress scheme designed by Arteta at Arsenal. Furthermore, only Arteta and Arsenal’s director, Edu Gaspar, know whether this player is worth 100 million Euros.
ASL
