Arsenal’s Ambitious Pursuit of a Top-Tier Talent

This summer promises to be significant for Arsenal.

In April, Mikel Arteta indicated this, and given that his team finished well behind Liverpool in the Premier League this season, it’s clear why.

Beyond introducing impactful attackers to propel the club in both domestic matches and the Champions League, the Gunners must also improve other areas of the squad.

For instance, while Martin Zubimendi appears to be on the verge of joining, the midfield could benefit from additional revitalization. Recent reports suggest that the club is eyeing an emerging talent who might force Thomas Partey out.

Arsenal Transfer News

This season, there were indications that Thomas Partey could be thanked for his contributions and subsequently released at the end of his contract.

However, on April 23rd, The Athletic’s David Ornstein announced that negotiations had started for a new contract which could allow the former Atlético Madrid player to stay in North London for another two years. Despite updates on these talks, no conclusive decisions have been made yet.

Interestingly, while negotiations remain ongoing, the club has been linked with the talented midfielder Lucien Agoumé, who could serve as an ideal replacement for the 32-year-old. Reports from Spain indicate that Arsenal is keen on the Sevilla star, particularly with Arteta advocating for his signing, and Manchester United showing interest as well.

While pricing details are not mentioned, considering the £17k-per-week talent joined the Spanish club for €4m (around £3.4m) last summer, it’s likely that he won’t be prohibitively expensive.

Ultimately, Arsenal should strive to bring in Agoumé, as he appears to be a highly promising prospect who could render the re-signing of Partey unnecessary.

Comparing Agoumé and Partey

If Arsenal pursues Agoumé this summer as a possible successor to Partey, how do the two players compare?

Both players serve primarily as defensive midfielders, so assessing their statistics can reveal key insights.

Surprisingly, when delving into their stats, Agoumé, dubbed a “10 out of 10 talent” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, outperforms Partey in many categories.

While Partey excels in areas like passing accuracy and goal-creating actions per 90, Agoumé leads in most other relevant metrics, showing superior performance in stats such as tackles, interceptions, and key passes.

Furthermore, Agoumé has a significantly better injury record, having missed only 16 games for club and country throughout his career, whereas Partey has missed 81 games since the 2020/21 season.

In conclusion, while Partey has been an impactful player for Arsenal, if an opportunity to sign Agoumé arises, the club must seize it. He looks to be the perfect candidate to transition into the role currently held by the 32-year-old.