Mikel Arteta decided to star Leandro Trossard up top again for Arsenal's game against Bournemouth on Saturday, and it would be fair to say it didn't really pay off.
While not terrible, the Belgian international was pretty anonymous throughout the match, failing to score or assist a goal and fully deserving of the 6/10 match rating he received from the Standard's Simon Collings.
Like most of his fellow attackers, it's not been as good of a campaign for the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace as it was last season, when he managed to rack up a tally of 20 goal involvements in 46 games.
Trossard-Kluivert
So, it's not surprising to see the club linked with an exceptional international winger ahead of the summer transfer window, a winger who'd be a significant upgrade on Trossard.
Arsenal's winger search
With their attack being the biggest problem this season, Arsenal have been linked with a number of top wingers in recent weeks, such as Nico Williams and Francisco Trincão.
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The former, who has racked up 11 goals and seven assists in 44 games this season, has been a long-term target, and with a £50m release clause in his current deal, could finally make the move to North London this summer.
The latter is a more recent target, and while his reported £66.5m price tag seems steep, he's been nothing short of spectacular for Sporting CP this season, chalking up a tally of nine goals and 18 assists in 51 games.
Trincao-Sporting-CP
However, to take the club to the next level, the Gunners might have to make a statement signing and bring in an established superstar, someone like Rodrygo Goes.
Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal have inquired about the £204k-per-week star, who Real Madrid are actually considering selling.
Rodrygo fbref similar players
Alongside the North Londoners, the report has revealed that Premier League rivals Manchester City are also keen and that the winger should be available for around €100m, which is about £85m.
It would be a costly and potentially complicated transfer to get over the line, but it's one Andrea Berta and Co should push for, as Rodrygo is one of the "best players in the world" in the eyes of Carlo Ancelotti.
How Rodrygo compares to Trossard
While Rodrygo's most played position is right wing, he's also incredibly accomplished playing off the left, and, with Bukayo Saka being as essential as he is to Arsenal, the left is undoubtedly where the Brazilian would play.
Therefore, one of his primary competitors for a starting berth would be Trossard, so who comes out on top when we compare them?
Well, when it comes down to their output, it's the Real ace who emerges victorious.
For example, in 50 appearances, totalling 3290 minutes, the 24-year-old has scored 13 goals and provided ten assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.17 games, or every 143.04 minutes.
In contrast, the Belgian has scored ten goals and provided eight assists in 52 appearances, totalling 3241 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.88 games, or every 180.05 minutes.
Rodrygo vs Trossard
Statistic
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
Non-Penalty G+As
Progressive Passes
Progressive Carries
Shots
Shots on Target
Passing Accuracy
Key Passes
Passes into the Final Third
Passes into the Penalty Area
Crosses into the Penalty Area
Shot-Creating Actions
Goal-Creating Actions
Successful Take-Ons
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 Season
The one-sided nature of the comparison continues when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.
For example, in almost every metric, the "spectacular" Champions League winner, as dubbed by manager Carlo Ancelotti, comes out ahead, including but not limited to non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, key passes, shots and shots on target, passes into the final third, shot-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo looks on
Ultimately, while Trossard remains a useful player for Arteta and Arsenal, it's clear that, in practically every way, Rodrygo is a massive upgrade and, therefore, someone the club should be going all out to sign this summer.
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