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Arsenal in talks to sign "world-class" £48m winger, he's an incredible Trossard upgrade -opinion

Arsenal may have saved themselves from a potential embarrassment on Sunday afternoon, but that does not change the fact that this summer has to be a monumental one.

Mikel Arteta told us it would be early last month, and while the arrival of Martin Zubimendi is certainly exciting, the area that needs reinforcing more than anywhere else is the attack.

Moreover, while the team's need for a new striker - or two - is undeniable, a dynamic, direct, and dangerous left-winger is arguably just as crucial to support Bukayo Saka's efforts on the other flank.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks dejected after the match

The good news is that the board seem to agree, as recent reports have linked the club with one of the most exciting wingers in world football, someone who'd be a massive upgrade on Leandro Trossard.

Arsenal's winger search

Given Arsenal's lack of threat off the left this season, the last few weeks have seen several top-quality wingers, such as Rafael Leao and Daizen Maeda, linked with the club.

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The former could reportedly be available for around £85m, and while that is a considerable sum of money, his tally of 12 goals and 13 assists in 48 games this season suggests he'd be worth it.

Maeda, on the other hand, could be the Gunners for just £25m, which might be a steal considering he's scored 33 goals and provided 12 assists in just 49 games this season.

Celtic-Daizen-Maeda-Premiership

However, Andrea Berta and Co might be after someone slightly cheaper than the AC Milan star but with more experience in a top-five league than the Celtic ace, which is where Nico Williams comes into play.

According to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal is one of several teams incredibly interested in the Spanish superstar.

In fact, he goes a step further, revealing that the North Londoners are 'at the front of the queue' for the dynamic winger, and that Berta and Co have already held talks with his camp.

If Arsenal successfully convince the 22-year-old to join them this summer, they'll have to pay his £48m release clause to get the deal done, but even so, he'd be more than worth it and a significant upgrade on Trossard.

How Williams compares to Trossard

If Arsenal get their way and bring Williams to the Emirates in the coming weeks and months, he'd likely only join with the promise of regular game time, which in turn would put him up against Trossard, but who comes out on top?

Arsenal-Nico-Williams-Bilbao

Well, when it comes to their raw output, it's the Spaniard who emerges victorious.

For example, in just 44 appearances, totalling 3050 minutes, the Pamplona-born star has scored 11 goals and provided seven assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.44 games, or every 169.44 minutes.

In contrast, the Belgian international has scored ten goals and provided nine assists in 54 appearances this season, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.84 games, or every 175.78 minutes.

What about when we take a look under the hood, then? Which winger has the more impressive underlying numbers?

Williams vs Trossard

Statistics

Non-Penalty G+As

Progressive Passes

Progressive Passes Received

Progressive Carries

Shots

Shots on Target

Passing Accuracy

Key Passes

Shot-Creating Actions

Goal-Creating Actions

Successful Take-Ons

Ball Recoveries

Aerial Duels Won

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 Season

Unsurprisingly, this is another comparison in which the "world-class" Bilbao star, as dubbed by journalist Zach Lowy, comes out on top and quite comfortably at that.

For example, he does better in most relevant metrics, including, but not limited to, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, key passes, ball recoveries, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.

Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams celebrates scoring their third goal

Ultimately, while Trossard could still be a valuable squad player, Williams is the far superior winger in practically every facet, and he's eight years younger. Therefore, Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign the Spaniard this summer.

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