Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal's centre backs supplied the goals against Everton, but a striker making a serious splash in Italy could give Mikel Arteta something else to think about.
Ezri Konsa and Gabriel struck in Saturday's 2-0 victory at the Emirates, helping the Gunners draw level on points with Man City following their defeat at Aston Villa.
Arsenal vs Everton
Arsenal vs Everton
Konsa pounced early on before Gabriel headed in Ben White's delivery after the break. Everton stayed in the contest for a while, but Arsenal eventually gave themselves breathing space.
It was an afternoon when Arteta could count on his defenders to make the difference at both ends, with another clean sheet and three points keeping the champions firmly on course.
||||
Statistic Arsenal Everton
Possession 58% 42%
Expected goals (xG) 1.77 0.48
Total shots 20 8
Shots on target 4 3
Shots blocked 10 2
Big chances missed 0 1
Corners 12 3
Accurate passes 440 316
Passing accuracy 86.6% 85.9%
Fouls committed 11 13
Yellow cards 1 3
Red cards 0 0
Arsenal nevertheless continue to be linked with fresh firepower, and Gustavo Varela is becoming a name worth watching.
Arsenal threaten Napoli plans for Gustavo Varela after nine-goal start
Monza's Gustavo Varela
Monza's Gustavo Varela
Napoli are interested in the Monza forward, but journalist Niccolò Ceccarini has identified Arsenal as a threat to their hopes of landing him.
Varela's averaging 1.13 goals per appearance right now, and for a 21-year-old settling into a new club and country, it is a return that demands attention.
Those figures put him firmly in the conversation about Europe's most in-form strikers, so Arsenal would be looking at a player whose confidence in front of goal should be soaring.
For Arsenal, the interesting part is how little time Varela has needed to make his mark. Monza only signed him in the summer, yet bigger clubs are already circling.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during training
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during training
That also gives his current employers every reason to resist a January sale.
Benfica's position adds another complication, as their reported right to match an offer means any Arsenal approach could have consequences beyond a straight negotiation with Monza.
Benfica's reported clause covers a share of Monza's profit from any future transfer, which could influence the Italian club's eventual asking price.
Arteta's immediate priority will be building on the Everton win. Further ahead, Varela offers an intriguing recruitment question: how much would Arsenal pay to catch a rising striker before his price climbs again?