It's not all been smooth sailing, but since taking the job six years ago, Mikel Arteta has got a lot right at Arsenal.
One area he has helped improve, alongside the Sporting Directors, has been the club's transfer business, at least when it comes to signing players.
For example, the likes of David Raya, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Magalhães, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have all joined under his tenure.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after Bukayo Saka scores their second goal
However, when it comes to the Spaniard's best signing, it's hard to look past Declan Rice, so fans should be excited about reports linking Arsenal with someone who could be their next version of the Englishman.
Arsenal target their next Rice
Arsenal spent far more than they usually do in the summer transfer window, and so some might argue that they don't need to go big again in January or at the end of the season.
However, while that might be true in some areas of the pitch, the midfield is a different story.
As things stand, only Martin Zubimendi and Rice are really at the level required to regularly contribute in the middle of the park, with the boss clearly not fancying Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino thriving up top.
rice
Therefore, the Gunners really do need to sign another top-quality midfielder to provide the two regular starters with competition and chances to rest, and it looks like they've found one.
At least that is according to a recent report from Caught Offside, which claims Arsenal are interested in Ayyoub Bouaddi.
In fact, the report has revealed that the Frenchman is now at the top of their list of midfield targets.
However, they are not the only ones interested, as the report has also revealed that Chelsea are keen on the youngster.
ayyoub-bouaddi-lille
Therefore, it could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Bouaddi's immense potential, it's one Arsenal should be fighting for, especially as he could be their next Rice.
Why Bouaddi could be Arsenal's next Rice
The first thing to say is that while Ayyoub Bouaddi is very highly rated and looks to have a huge future ahead of him, Arsenal should expect him to come in and be on Rice's level right away.
Rice-arsenal
The Frenchman is still just 18 years old, and therefore, that would be an unfair expectation.
However, there is no reason he couldn't eventually reach that level, especially as there are already quite a few similarities between the pair.
First and foremost, like the Gunners' monster 41, the LOSC Lille gem is primarily a central midfielder, but has shown an impressive level of flexibility.
For example, he has also played in defensive midfield, attacking midfield, and even centre-back - sound familiar?
Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi in action with Paris St Germain's Lee Kang-in
The second similarity is that, thanks to this ability to play in so many areas, the "world class talent," as scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him, is someone who can help in build up as well as in defensive areas.
For example, FBref ranks him in the top 1% of midfielders in Ligue 1 for blocks, the top 2% for long pass completion, the top 8% for successful take-ons, the top 16% for touches in the opposition's penalty area, and more, all per 90.
Bouaddi's Scout Report
Statistics
Blocks
Pass Completion % (Long)
Passes Blocked
Successful Take-Ons
Tackles (Att 3rd)
Successful Take-On %
Touches (Att Pen)
Shots Blocked
All Stats via FBref
Moreover, respected analyst-turned-scout Ben Mattinson has described his press resistance as "elite level" and his tackling as "exceptional."
Ultimately, he is still young and has a lot of developing to do, but Bouaddi already looks like a top-level talent and someone who could easily develop into a future Rice.
Notably heralded as one of "the best young talents in world football" by the Guardian's Ed Aarons, Arsenal should do all they can to sign him next year, before another team get there first.
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