While the atmosphere around the club might be a little dour at the moment, this season is still shaping up to be a special one for Arsenal.
As things stand, Mikel Arteta's side sit top of the Champions League and Premier League tables, despite enduring an absurd number of injuries.
Moreover, there is a sense that many of the Gunners' most important players, such as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, still have more to give.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match
One player who has been at their best so far this season, though, is Declan Rice, so fans should be excited about reports linking Arsenal to another international midfielder who has been compared to him.
Arsenal target Rice-esque star
Arsenal went unusually big in the summer, signing eight first-team players, including Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.
So, some might argue that the Gunners do not need any more midfield reinforcements.
However, if the last season and a bit has made anything clear, it's that the North Londoners need to have serious cover all over the pitch.
Merino-Gyokeres-Odegaard-Rice-Lewis-Skelly
So, to ensure the likes of Zubimendi and Rice do not get overplayed, it would make sense for the club to target someone of decent quality who could cover for them, especially if Mikel Merino is now more of a forward.
Interestingly, this seems to be an opinion shared by the North Londoners, at least according to a recent report from Spain, which claims Arsenal are one of a few teams interested in Davide Frattesi.
Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are all keen on the Italian international.
While the competition is not ideal, the good news is that Inter Milan would reportedly be open to letting the 26-year-old leave if the right offer comes in.
davide-frattesi-inter-champions-league
It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Frattesi's ability, it's one Arsenal should pursue, especially as he's been compared to Rice.
How Frattesi compares to Rice
Now, while Frattesi isn't quite on the same level as Rice in terms of quality, few players are; he still shares several similarities with him.
Italy's Davide Frattesi in action
Firstly, and this is a relatively straightforward one, he is currently plying his trade for one of the top teams in a top-five league at Inter.
Moreover, like the Englishman, he's also a regular for his national team, having won 33 caps for Italy so far, in which he's scored eight goals and provided three assists.
That also highlights another shared trait: the ability to contribute with goals and assists from midfield.
For example, in 47 appearances last season, he scored seven goals and provided two assists.
The final obvious similarity is that, like the former West Ham captain, the Rome-born star is someone who can play in central midfield but has also done a job in the ten and deeper for his team.
Davide-Frattesi-SPURS
Add all these traits together, and it's not hard to see why former Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni dubbed him "one of the best midfielders in Europe."
However, with all that said, the most concrete comparison between Frattesi and Rice stems from FBref, which ranked the Englishman as the seventh-most similar midfielder to the Italian in the Champions League last season.
Frattesi & Rice
Statistics per 90
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
Shots
Passes into the Penalty Area
Shots Blocked
Interceptions
Clearances
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 UCL
The best way to understand how this conclusion was reached is to take a look at the underlying numbers in which the pair ranked closely.
In this instance, the metrics included non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shots, shots blocked, interceptions, and clearances, all per 90.
davide-frattesi-inter-milan
In other words, the Inter ace was able to replicate some of the £105m man's attacking and defensive qualities.
Ultimately, while it might not be the most exciting of transfers, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Frattesi, as his experience and ability to cover for players like Rice could prove invaluable in the longrun.
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It's time for Arteta to take the frustrating Arsenal star out of the team.