Mikel Arteta’s merry bunch of Arsenal men have been sitting atop the Premier League table for a considerable period of time now.
They were the first and probably the only team to ever guarantee that they’d be top at Christmas in November, but such is the unique World Cup taking place out in Qatar that things have been done a little differently this season.
Either way, the Gunners are there on merit with Arteta’s side playing a superb brand of football that relies on youthful exuberance for it to thrive.
Everyone at the club has bought into the Spaniard’s vision, no less so than his new signings.
Gabriel Jesus, albeit now injured, has been a revelation courtesy of his five goals and seven assists in 20 outings while Oleksandr Zinchenko has brought a level of composure seldom seen at the Emirates Stadium.
Yet, for the north Londoners to keep their amazing run going they will need to invest in January, with the additions of extra firepower most certainly needed after Jesus’ blow at the World Cup.
A variety of faces have already been linked but there is a sense that a striker won’t be brought in to replace the Brazilian. Rather, Arteta will rely on Eddie Nketiah to lead the line while snapping up a lively and energetic winger.
According to David Ornstein, Ukrainian hotshot Mykhailo Mudryk is at the top of their shortlist but they may have to pay upwards of €100m (£86m) in order to bring him to English football.
A more cost-effective and safer option could fall the way of Ferran Torres. Reports from Germany – Sport Bild – suggest that the Gunners are battling with rivals Tottenham for the signing of the Spanish winger.
Having already played in the Premier League with Manchester City before a £55m move back to Spain, there is a hope that he’d be able to adapt quickly, something the Islington outfit no doubt need given that the Citizens are breathing down their necks.
Little adjustment time can be afforded in such a title race with Torres perhaps looking like a smart option for sporting director, Edu, when the window opens next month.
Turning to the 22-year-old, who is valued at £30m by Transfermarkt, could well see Arsenal unearth their next Santi Cazorla.
Both capable of featuring on the wings, the duo have more than just positional versatility and nationality in common.
Indeed, both have already scored top-flight hat-tricks in England, with the Spanish assets having the ability to create and find the net in equal measure.
During his time at the Emirates, Cazorla scored 29 times while assisting a further 45 strikes for his teammates in 180 outings, a tally that works out at a goal involvement every 2.4 matches.
On the other hand, Torres has beaten the goalkeeper on 12 occasions in 44 appearances, while registering seven assists. That means the young Spain international has contributed to a goal every 2.3 games, a fraction ever so slightly better than the former Arsenal star.
Torres has further thrived on the biggest of stages this summer, finding the net on two occasions during Spain’s World Cup campaign before they were dumped out on penalties by Morocco.
The best praise for the Barca gem has come from none other than Xavi, the winger’s fellow countryman who certainly knows a thing or two about how to thrive in Spain. He once said: “He’s [Torres] a player on another level, he’s spectacular: how he understands the space, links play, doesn’t lose the ball, his defensive work… he’s world-class. He’s a great signing, one I wanted, and a wonderful footballer.”
Indeed, the Barcelona boss could well be speaking of Cazorla there too, with the now 38-year-old famed for his close-knit control and ability to keep the ball away from his opponents.
Both incredibly creative and press resistant, it’s evident how alike the duo are with Torres surely marking a fine signing for Arteta and co, one that could also be a great deal cheaper than Mudryk. Over to you, Edu.
