The transfer window may not have opened yet but the rumour mill is in full swing as Arsenal become linked with a host of players, just as others may be headed for the exit door.
Signing six players last time out for a combined total of around £150m, the deals the club pulled off have already started looking like genius pieces of business.
All of the arrivals have contributed in some capacity, with right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu proving to be one of the most successful of all the additions. The Japan international has taken to Premier League football like a duck to water, showcasing tactical suitability in his role and being more than a match for the physical nature of the division.
He has come into Mikel Arteta’s side and performed his task admirably, so much so that it often goes under the radar how comfortable he is in the role.
Arsenal eye January move for Ajax right-back Noussair Mazraoui on bargain transfer as Leeds also keep tabs on Moroccan defender
Behind him in the pecking order is Cedric Soares, an entirely different profile of player compared to Tomiyasu, with the latter being the perfect fit for the three-man defensive build-up shape that Arsenal look to employ.
The Portuguese defender prefers to play higher up the pitch, where his serviceable technical ability has some use in the final third. After him, though, is Calum Chambers, someone more similar in profile to Tomiyasu, but is desperately below the level needed.
Hector Bellerin is also still an Arsenal player, albeit of the Cedric mould, but when he returns to north London in the summer a sale appears inevitable, as it does for Chambers.
Therefore, as some stage another option will be needed in that department and a name previously linked with a move to north London, Noussair Mazraoui, has emerged once again.
As per ESPN, Arsenal and Leeds are tracking the Moroccan with a view on stealing him from Ajax on a bargain fee in January as he can agree a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in the winter.
Despite playing regularly in the Champions League and being part of a title-challenging squad each season, Mazraoui has not been convinced to pen a new contract in Amsterdam ahead of his deal expiring in June 2022, and Ajax may be forced to accept a cut-price deal to avoid losing him for free. Either that, or Arsenal could have a move agreed and in place for the summer when he’ll cost nothing.
There were links to the 24-year-old over the summer but none materialised, and while it did appear as if he would be convinced to sign a new deal at the club he’s been with since the age of eight, there has been little movement in that department.
Arsenal need variety, right? If what they’re after is two right-backs who can offer differing qualities but who both can tuck in, either into midfield or a back three, then Mazraoui might be the right man.
Even if he is far more attack-minded, he’s an outstanding full-back and would cost absolute peanuts due to his contract situation.
Of course, as is always the case with Ajax players, all of his underlying metrics come with the rather large ‘he plays for the best team in the country’ caveat. But even up against Dutch opposition when compared to other full-backs across Europe, he is in the 99th percentile for aerials won, tackles won and shots on target blocked. Those defensive numbers alone are delightful.
In every other department he’s ridiculously strong, whether in npxG+xA, pass completion, progressive passes and carries, shot creating actions…you name it.
Four goals and two assists in 11 league appearances this season for Mazraoui is testament to his well-rounded ability and flexibility to adapt to various tactical nuances and positions, which is essential in Ten Hag’s team. As comfortable as he is defending his own box, he’s just as secure tucking into midfield where he has the freedom to run the channels and flood the opposition box.
The aforementioned caveat does need factoring in, though. Erik ten Hag’s Ajax are a magnificent side, one bursting with tactical fluency, energy and threat all over the pitch, whereas others in the division are just not on that level. This guy made Achraf Hakimi play left-back for Morocco, up until his clash with the manager.
And that might be the only drawback. Questions marks over his attitude have been ongoing for some time, and this might be one element that is preventing other major sides, who will see the same numbers as everyone else, from making their move.
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