They've not got over the line just yet, but Arsenal are a team unrecognisable from the one Mikel Arteta took charge of over six years ago.
The Spaniard has helped transform what was a sleeping giant falling down the league into one of the best teams in Europe, pushing for the Premier League and the Champions League.
While much of this has been down to the manager's philosophy and approach, just as much, if not more, has been down to the transfers, such as Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Martin Odegaard, that the club have completed over the last few years.
saka-arteta
Yet, the most intimidating part of the North Londoners' team has to be their imposing defence, and it looks like they want to add to it with Marc Guehi.
However, should the other interested parties, like Manchester City, beat Arsenal to the Englishman's signature, Arteta shouldn't be too upset, as Andrea Berta has already signed him to his own version of the sought-after defender.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi
Why Arsenal would want Guehi
Now, some could argue that one reason Arsenal might want to pick up Guehi on a free in the summer is that, by doing so, they'd prevent one of their rivals from doing so.
marc-guehi-crystal-palace
However, while that may be partially true, the most significant reason the Gunners would want to sign the Englishman is that he is an outstanding defender who would improve their already imposing backline.
Moreover, he isn't just a defensively solid option, but someone who can and does thrive with the ball at his feet.
Guehi's Scout Report
Statistics
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
Goal-Creating Actions
Shot-Creating Actions
Assists
Goals + Assists
Key Passes
Through Balls
Penalty Kicks Won
Touches (Att Pen)
Switches
Progressive Passes
All Stats via FBref
For example, FBref ranks the Crystal Palace star in the top 3% of centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues for non-penalty expected goals plus assists and goal-creating actions, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 8% for key passes and more, all per 90.
In other words, Arteta wouldn't have to worry about what starting the Abidjan-born monster would mean for his side's build-up play.
Another key reason the Gunners might be keen to land the former Chelsea gem is his vast experience and leadership qualities.
For example, despite still being just 25 years old, he has made two appearances for the Blues, 59 for Swansea City and 188 for Palace, who he captains and led to their first piece of major silverware ever in the FA Cup last season.
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace career
In all, despite them already having an imposing defence, it's clear why Arsenal might want Guehi, but they shouldn't worry if they can't, as Berta has already signed their own version of the Englishman.
Arsenal's version of Guehi
It would be fair to say that, when it comes to quality defenders, Arteta and Arsenal are spoilt for choice.
Yet, when it comes to the player who could be seen as their own version of Guehi, one sticks out: Cristhian Mosquera.
Now, before the pitchforks and torches come out, this is not to say that the Spaniard is at the Englishman's level just yet, but there are similarities.
Arsenal's Cristhian Mosquera and Martin Zubimendi
For example, the former Cobham gem broke into first-team football on loan with Swansea in the 19/20 season, then became a regular starter for the Welsh side the following season.
Then, just a season later, he joined Palace before being handed the captain's armband at just 21 years old in 2022.
In other words, the England international made his mark on senior football early on in his career, which is what the Gunners' summer signing has done.
In fact, it could be argued he's made an even brighter start to his career, making 90 first-team appearances for La Liga giants Valencia and securing a move to a side like Arsenal all before his 22nd birthday.
The next similarity is that, like the in-demand centre-back, the former Valencia gem is as comfortable playing out from the back as he is putting in a crunching challenge.
For example, FBref ranks the 6-foot-3 "monster," as dubbed by one analyst, in the top 3% of centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues for tackles in the defensive third and the top 9% for tackles won.
This ability to do both parts of the game was also on full display earlier in the season in the matches against Nottingham Forest and Athletic Bilbao.
Mosquera Arsenal stats vs Forest
In those encounters, he helped to keep two clean sheets while completing a staggering 75 passes in both games.
Ultimately, if Arsenal have the chance to sign Guehi, they should take it, but if not, they shouldn't fret as Mosquera could well become their own version of the Englishman.
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