Why €110m La Liga duo would make Arsenal Champions League ready

Tom Hancock

Updated: 21 Apr 2023 07:18 BST
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Arsenal have all but mathematically confirmed their return to the Champions League next season – and that’s likely to mean a squad revamp is on the cards at the Emirates Stadium this summer.

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If his side are to sustain a challenge on both the domestic and European fronts in 2023/24, Mikel Arteta is going to need some quality strength in depth.

On Thursday, it emerged that the Gunners have been keeping tabs on two intriguing La Liga talents: holding midfielder Martin Zubimendi and centre-back Robin Le Normand.

Here, in conjunction with data analytics experts SciSports, FootballTransfers take a look at what Zubimendi and Le Normand could bring to Arsenal.

An aggressive anchor

Zubimendi would add a new dimension to the Gunners’ midfield: generally operating as the lone anchor in Imanol Alguacil’s 4-1-3-2 set-up at Real Sociedad, the 24-year-old takes on quite a conservative role – positionally speaking, anyway.

This differentiates him from Arsenal’s current primary defensive midfield operators Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka, both of whom regularly get involved with build-up play in the final third.

In terms of his playing style, though, Zubimendi – who has one cap for Spain – profiles rather aggressively: an adept disruptor, his strengths lie in regaining possession – both through tackles and interceptions – and retaining it in order to spark attacks.

With an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €41.8m, Zubimendi wouldn’t exactly come cheap, but he would likely be considerably cheaper than rumoured target Declan Rice – whose ETV currently stands at €63.3m, while West Ham have been said to want over £100m (€113.4m) for their skipper.

Solid centre-back competition

As for Le Normand, the Frenchman would ostensibly be an upgrade on Rob Holding – whose deficiencies have been laid painfully bare since he was drafted into the Arsenal starting XI in William Saliba’s absence.

Best described as a ball-playing defender, the 26-year-old ought to be an ideal stylistic fit for the Gunners – and provide solid competition to keep Saliba and Gabriel on their toes.

© ProShots - Martin Le Normand's style compared to William Saliba and Gabriel

Given his age – he turns 27 later this year – Le Normand’s ceiling will be lower than, say, Saliba’s – but, with an ETV of €33.3m, he could prove to be a very shrewd acquisition for Arsenal.

The Gunners had a net spend of €108.3m (£95.4m) last summer; don't be surprised if they exceed that this transfer window coming.