Arsenal’s next Saliba? The ‘DREAM’ 20-year-old destined for stardom

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 Oct 2024 12:09 BST
• 8 min read

Arsenal have had great success raiding Ligue 1 for talented centre-backs in recent years, capturing both William Saliba and Gabriel from France’s top-flight.

The pair, who were signed from Saint-Etienne and Lille respectively for a total of €56 million, have gone on to become widely recognised as the best pairing in the Premier League.

Beyond the duo, Arsenal swooped for Riccardo Calafiori in the summer from Bologna, yet manager Mikel Arteta is always attentive to transfer possibilities and has been linked with a possible move for Ajax rising star Jorrel Hato.

READ MORE: Arsenal given MAJOR advantage in Wirtz transfer race

But given the success that the Gunners have had in France, the possibility of Arteta revisiting Ligue 1 is something that should be explored – particularly with such a promising talent turning in strong performances week in, week out.

Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov is not a name widely recognised, but that could all change very soon.

The 20-year-old is rated by SciSports as the best centre-back in Ligue 1 this season and comes from the same stock as Kevin Danso, the Austria international defender who had been linked with a move to Manchester United. Indeed, Danso would have completed a lucrative move to Roma this summer had a heart issue not posed an unexpected late problem in his medical.

Current ETV

Abdukodir Khusanov

D (C)

Lens

Abdukodir Khusanov

D (C)

Lens

€9.2M

ETV Range

€6.9M - €11.5M

View full profile

With Danso sidelined until given a green light earlier this month, Khusanov has stepped up impressively.

Signed from Energetik-BGU Minsk in 2023 for just €100,000, the Uzbekistan defender now has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €9.2 million.

Khusanov’s qualities

Under contract in Lens until 2027, Khusanov has won widespread praise from those around him at Lens.

“He really scares me - I avoid going into duels with him!” France goalkeeper Brice Samba claimed in L'Equipe.

Head coach Will Still, meanwhile, has offered a more rounded assessment of the centre-back.

“Kodir is very, very fast. He’s an athlete,” the coach said. “We joked that when he went to the Olympics, he could have done all sports with Uzbekistan he’s so complete!”

Similarly, playmaker Angelo Fulgini praised his colleague: “He’s the modern defender that everyone dreams of having.

“I see him going to the very top, even if I hope he stays with us as long as possible. He’s certainly got the potential to play at the biggest clubs in the world.”

STATS

Abdukodir Khusanov

D (C)

Lens

Abdukodir Khusanov

D (C)

Lens

Ligue 1

2024/25

• 7

  Games

• 0

  Goals

• 0

  Assists

View all stats

Opportunity for Arsenal

Arsenal could take advantage. Khusanov is a defender built in the same mould as Saliba and Gabriel, as he is well capable with the ball at his feet, but as previously explained, physically he is formidable, he is quick and reads the game well.

These latter qualities have been most evident in Still’s brand of football, but with Lens last season, his style bore a striking resemblance to that of Saliba and Gabriel.

Khusanov and Saliba styles compared

Is Khusanov good enough to step up to challenge either of these players to start for Arsenal? Not yet, but if he continues on his current track, by the end of the season he will be in a position to be signed and groomed as a successor.

Arsenal are always looking to the future, and Khusanov might be just the player they need to replace Saliba or Gabriel in a year or two’s time.