If there is one thing Arsenal have really lacked this season, it's goals.
Mikel Arteta's side are set to finish second in the Premier League this weekend, but as things stand, they have scored 18 goals fewer than Liverpool.
With their attacking output such an apparent weakness, it's hardly been surprising to see the Gunners linked with a host of brilliant strikers and wingers in recent weeks, with Rodrygo perhaps being the most exciting of them all.
rodrygo-arsenal-real-madrid
However, if recent reports are to be believed, the North Londoners might now be looking at a potential alternative to the Real Madrid star, someone who's been compared to Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal transfer news
Before we get to the star in question, it's worth looking at some of the other players linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, such as Viktor Gyokeres and Bryan Mbeumo.
The former has scored an unreal 53 goals in 51 appearances this season while providing another 13 assists for good measure, so even though he'd reportedly cost the Gunners between £60m and £70m, it would be hard to say he wouldn't be worth it.
Likewise, Mbeumo has been on fire for Brentford this season, scoring 19 goals and providing nine assists in just 41 games, making his £60m price tag seem more than reasonable.
Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo celebrates after the match
However, another name that has recently entered the picture, and someone who could be an ideal Rodrygo alternative, is Ademola Lookman.
Yes, according to a recent report from Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal are looking for a new winger this summer, and the Atalanta star is someone they are interested in.
In fact, Plettenberg claims that talks with the Nigerian international and other players "are in full swing."
According to stories from earlier this year, the former Napoli star could cost the North Londoners up to £55m, and while that's a lot of money, he'd certainly be worth it, especially as he's won comparisons to Saka.
How Lookman compares to Rodrygo and Saka
So, before we get to why Lookman might be an ideal alternative to Rodrygo, let's examine this comparison to Saka and where it has come from.
bukayo-saka-arsenal
Well, in this instance it stems from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions in Europe's top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, before creating a list of the ten most comparable players.
By doing this, it has been concluded that the Englishman is the second most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Nigerian across the last 365 days.
Lookman & Saka
Statistic per 90
Non-Penalty G+As
Shots
Crosses into the Penalty Area
Live Passes
Shot-Taking Actions
Interceptions
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season
The best way to see how this is worked out is by taking a look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including but not limited to non-penalty goals plus assists, shots, crosses into the penalty area, live passes, shot-taking actions and more, all per 90.
In short, there are a lot of statistical similarities between the "world-class" 27-year-old, as dubbed by the BBC's John Bennett, and Saka, although were he to join the Gunners, he'd almost certainly have to play off the left - where he is still comfortable - which makes him an alternative to Rodrygo.
So, who comes out on top when we compare the pair's output from this season against one another?
Interestingly, it's actually the London-born dynamo who comes out on top, as in 39 appearances, totalling 2826 minutes, he has scored 20 goals and provided seven assists, which comes out to an incredible average of a goal involvement every 1.44 games or every 104.66 minutes.
Ademola-Lookman-Europa-League
In contrast, the Brazilian international has scored 13 goals and provided ten assists in 50 appearances, totalling 3290 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.17 games or every 143.04 minutes.
Ultimately, Rodrygo would certainly be a statement signing, but should it not materialise, Arsenal may end up better off bringing in Lookman, as he's both more productive and incredibly similar to Saka.
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