In our view, Arsenal should favour a move for Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams instead of Barcelona star Raphinha, who left Leeds United in the summer.
SPORT have reported that Mikel Arteta’s side are keen to sign the Brazilian international ‘at all costs’.
However, we believe that instead of Raphinha, Arsenal should just try to prise away another wideman from La Liga in Nico Williams, who was tracked by Liverpool during the World Cup, as per Calciomercato.
Arsenal should ditch Raphinha chase to sign Nico Williams
For starters, it makes much more sense for the Premier League leaders to bring in a wideman that possesses a profile that their current options simply do not.
Arsenal-linked ace Raphinha, much like Bukayo Saka, is a left-footed, inverted winger, while Nico Williams is the complete opposite.
The Spanish international, described as ‘electric’ by Total Football Analysis is an old-school touchline winger, who has a tendency to run down the byline and put the ball into the box.
Not just Saka and Martinelli, but even Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira do not possess this very trait.
Much of the struggles encountered by reported Arsenal target Raphinha at Barcelona have stemmed from the fact that he simply cannot thrive as a left-winger, unlike Nico Williams, who is comfortable operating on either flank.
While the 20-year-old, who has a £35 million release clause (via AS) is perhaps at his best as a right-winger as well, he looks almost equally threatening on the left.
And unlike Raphinha as well, the Bilbao prodigy can also use his weaker left foot to dribble, which is another quality that no Arsenal winger possesses.
Considering the former is set to be a lot pricier than the latter as well, it makes more sense for the club to sign a potential backup, who is also six years younger at a more cost-effective fee.
Keeping all these factors in mind, Arsenal should move for Nico Williams instead of the ex-Leeds talisman, in our view.
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