Better than Zubimendi: Arsenal hold talks to sign £70m Premier League star

The longer the Premier League season has played out, the more Arsenal‘s recruitment last summer has been called into question.

On paper, it looked like Andrea Berta had done a cracking job during his first window in charge of the club’s transfer business. Yet, Eberechi Eze had endured barren patches without a goal, Noni Madueke wasn’t delivering regularly and Viktor Gyokeres was seemingly losing the ball every time he touched it.

Martin Zubimendi was attracting criticism too. He couldn’t progress play and was ceding possession in crucial areas of the pitch.

Yet, in recent weeks, Mikel Arteta’s men flicked a switch. The defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad was a spark, a catalyst for change, one that saw bad signings become good ones, chiefly Gyokeres, the scorer of nine goals in his last 14 outings.

True judgement was rightfully reserved until the end of the season, when Arsenal had or had not won the title. Well, lo and behold, they were confirmed as champions on Tuesday night. Last summer’s recruitment looks brilliant now.

So, what’s next? How on earth do you strengthen a title-winning side?

How Arsenal can bolster the squad this summer

Title winners, at long last, you have to credit every inch of this squad for what they have achieved this season. Yet, there are some areas where big upgrades are required, not least on the left of the attack but also in midfield.

On the left, Gabriel Martinelli has only scored once in the league and before finding the net against West Ham a week and a half ago, Leandro Trossard had not scored in his last 25 matches in all competitions. As far as replacements are concerned, PSG duo Bradley Barcola and Khivcha Kvaratskhelia have both been touted with moves.

In midfield, there is the sense that a big name could also join. Last week, it was reported that Arsenal were interested in signing West Ham sensation Mateus Fernandes. That deal would surely be made easier by the Hammers’ impending relegation.

Thought to be worth around £70m, it would not be cheap, but neither would a deal for a longer-term target in the form of Sandro Tonali.

On transfer deadline day in the winter, Arsenal’s interest in the Newcastle star was first revealed, but ultimately, a move did not come to fruition. Well, they look well poised to revive their intrigue in the summer months.

According to Tutto Juve, who reveal interest from Serie A giants Juventus, both Arsenal and Manchester United are said to be casting their eyes in the direction of Tonali.

Both of those sides are said to have been kept ‘informed’ about the Italian’s situation at St James’ Park, indicating that early talks over a move have been had. That said, during those discussions, the Toon have let suitors know that it will take at least £70m to prise him away from the north east.

How Tonali compares to Martin Zubimendi

When the Spanish midfielder scored two goals against Nottingham Forest at the beginning of the season, Zubimendi looked like the best thing since sliced bread.

With Arsenal requiring a midfielder after the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho last term, the former Real Sociedad player looked like just the man to fill the void.

He has long been seen as Spain’s new Rodri and he was showing every bit of that during the infancy of his Arsenal career. Declan Rice even heralded him as someone who had “been unreal” since trading LaLiga for the Premier League.

The fact of the matter is that the midfielder ended up being run into the ground. He has played the second most minutes (4,179) of any outfield player in the entire squad. Only the aforementioned Rice has played more.

As a result, it’s led to a revival for Myles Lewis-Skelly in recent weeks. He started crucial games with Fulham, Atletico Madrid at home and West Ham away. Zubimendi now hasn’t actually started since the first leg draw with Atleti at the end of April.

While the Spaniard is still likely to play an important part in Arsenal’s title defence next term, another midfielder to ramp up competition would do nicely. In Tonali, they could actually sign an upgrade, a player described as “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League” by analyst and podcaster Adam Joseph.

One of the biggest areas Zubimendi has been lacking in this season is his ability to progress the play. It’s why the energetic and effervescent Lewis-Skelly has been preferred in recent weeks.

Tonali, however, could solve that issue and then some. He’s making a much larger number of progressive carries and passes in comparison to his Spanish counterpart. He’s also a better shuttler in front of the defence, making a larger volume of ball recoveries.

Furthermore, he’s a pretty fine player defensively too, winning more defensive duels. If Rice loves playing alongside Zubimendi, then a partnership with Tonali has the potential to be even more fruitful.