If there’s one position Mikel Arteta wouldn’t mind reinforcing, it’s his attack. If the Gunners can add another reliable right winger to their ranks, why not? With Bukayo Saka lacking a reliable backup, it would be understandable if a perfect substitute was acquired. Arteta has over-relied on Saka, which we shouldn’t grumble about because the 21-year-old has produced game after game, but as Arsenal continues to evolve, rotation will be crucial. Even the greatest players can benefit from rest, so if Saka is to be rested in the future, Arsenal will need to have a dependable winger to call on.
According to Sport Witness (who cite Fichajes), this winger could be Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, with Arsenal reportedly being the first option if the 20-year-old leaves his boyhood club. Williams recently burst into the spotlight with his outstanding play, winning him a spot in Luis Enrique’s Qatar World Cup squad and the opportunity to represent Spain in the World Cup last year. In 27 appearances for Bilbao, he has 7 goals and 6 assists, indicating that he has an eye for goal.
The winger’s present contract expires in 2024, and there is no sign that he will extend it.
Those in Bilbao are concerned about his future, considering that he is considered their future.
If Arsenal decides to pursue him, as it appears they will, he can leave Bilbao by simply activating his €50 million release clause. If Arsenal is willing to spend €60 million plus for the Mudryk and Raphinha deals, I don’t see why signing Williams will be difficult if Arsenal wants him…
Would Williams be the perfect youngster to groom as Saka’s backup?
Have a look at this video and decide for yourself….
Daniel O
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Be good to add another quality player ,but the thing is swap saka with martinelli and you will see a difference,as instead of cutting back on to there right or left to cross it, a winger should be the type that rips down there natural leg and getting so close the can shoot or hit so hard across the box to which the keeper palms it out to our nearest player to tap in who’s waiting in the box ,come on guys it football 101.
That’s football 101 from years ago…
Lmaoo, since the days of Pires and Ljunberg.
I saw a clip of arteta talking about wingers in front of a whiteboard (I guess from the all our nothing show) – he said he prefers wingers to cut inside because it gives so many more options. If they operate as traditional wingers, they only have one place to go, really – towards the corner area to cross – whereas, if they cut inside, they open space for the fullback to run into and have so many more passing, dribbling and shooting options.
When I saw it depicted, I thought “it seems so simple and so obvious”, but i really think it makes sense.
I don’t think it’s groundbreaking, though- wenger played CAMs (or at least players with experience playing centrally) out wide frequently to great effect, which i think was for the same reason. Pires, Ljungberg, Rosicky, Hleb and Nasri were excellent examples – none were traditional wingers, all had played centrally before and all were very effective out wide in arsene’s teams.
That said, an orthodox winger can still be a beautiful thing – depends on the player, I guess. I don’t think Saka quite has the pace to be so brilliant as an orthodox winger, but his close control and cleverness makes him best suited for his current role imo.
Agree, but what about Martinelli?
He’s faster, has played centrally before but is still not as good as Saka.
I don’t know that he has played centrally at first team level (aside from 1 or 2 games for us that didn’t go very well) – did he play there for his previous club?
He does tend to run wide with the ball from his left wing position anyway, despite being more right footed… I’m genuinely not sure if playing him on the right would make a big difference for him – maybe you’re right and it would!
The main difference between the two imo is that I see Saka as predominantly a midfielder, like the others I’d mentioned before, because he has a creative passing aspect to his game, whereas I think martinelli is more of a forward, who is more likely to be on the end of chances – you’d expect Saka to play better at ACM than CF and martinelli better at CF than ACM if that makes sense?
You are right, but martinelli did play centrally under Unai Emery.
Yes. And when Auba was suspended for 3 games GM scored and in all 3 of them including that memorable goal against chelsh!t
The main reason why o get tired of Martinelli game sometime..he just doesnt like cutting in
Nico Williams would be a perfect contender for Saka’s position and a great addition to Arsenal squad.
The boy is a star already and can only rise to super stardom at Arsenal.
And what about Marquinhos? Scored on his debut for Norwich. If he kicks on he can certainly be integrated next season so the position will be covered. It’s hard to see where we can upgrade in attack next season. Between Jesus, Martinelli, Saka, Trossard, Nketiah and Balogun/Marquinhos we should have enough, unless the plan is to loan out/capitalize on the good form of one or more of the final three, in which case spending £50/60 million on a replacement seems unnecessary. Given the season we have been having its hard to identify where we will improve next season. Elneny’s new contact is probably more related to rewarding his service/attitude as it’s said that he is important to the squad’s mentality and to provide emergency cover rather than expecting him to play regularly, although we will already have Odegaard, Partey, Jorginho, Xhaka, Vieira and Smith Rowe competing for three positions. Holding could potentially be replaced by a centre back or right back (in which case White could be moved back to centre back), although again he seems to be good for the squad’s dynamic, or a replacement for Tierney if he wants to leave, but even then Tavares will be coming back from loan. Rice would be my bet to come in as he would compete to play in Central defence and centre midfield. If we win the league, and possibly even if we don’t given the age of the squad’s, don’t expect to see wholesale changes.
He looks like a super talent, for that amount of money maybe not the smartest move as we have Marquinhos (19) on loan, goal & assist yday for Norwich, also Balogun (21) on loan in Reims tearing it up as Top Goal Scoer in Ligue1. Their developments is key and is what Arsenal do, make stars.
If we are to bring Williams to The Emirates then that could well mean then end for Nelson and possibly Eddie Nketiah who will end up being demoted the FA & Carling Cup Striker as we have League & Champions League to contend with using Jesus, Trossard, Saka, Martinell, Smithrowe and Balogun but I still see another top attacker coming in.
Trossard brings that little bit of magic & has really impressed as has Jorginho and Kiwior will get his chance also hopefully against Sporting in Europa along side Holding for 1st leg and see how they get on.
Teirney or Taveres will be sold, Nelson will be let go & Pepe is surplus to requirements. A few loans outgoing will happen but not alot of big money deal outgoings I wouldn’t think.
Come the summer regardless if we win the league or not we will be in a great position to just add one or two top signings to keep the rebuild going and make squad almost complete in a sense as we had back into the Champions League.