Thread by @adamvoge

The Arsenal RB situation...It's among the most mentioned issues with the starting XI, but the club have been linked to few solutions...so who should they sign?

I analysed 34 somewhat realistic options on a nine-metric scale. Here's who stood out to me... (1/x)

I'll start from the "bottom," as it were. Mert Muldur seems to be a favorite among ITKs and fans. My statistical profile is by no means comprehensive, but it doesn't love him. He ranked 32nd out of 34, with an average percentile rank of just 34. So he would not be my pick.

Another one you'll see occasionally is Bologna's Takehiro Tomiyasu. His mean percentile rank was 53rd, putting him 18th on my ranking. He's really anchored by some low attacking numbers, but his defensive numbers are solid. Seems like he'd be a secure option, great at aerials.

Another notable outside the top few: Sergino Dest. Another fan favorite, and worth a mention since I'm American. Dest has great creative numbers, but doesn't rank well for aerial duels or in progressive passing. But he pressures the ball, and is rarely beaten off the dribble.

Another popular name: Nordi Mukiele. You can see what he brings to the table: strong in the air, solid contributor in the attack. He ended up 11th in my ranking, dragged down by his lack of ball pressure and assists, which could be from splitting time at CB.

One name I like: Valencia's Thierry Correia. He's only 22, so maybe not the best idea right this very minute. But plenty to be encouraged by: good tackler, good dribbler, really didn't have a major flaw in this ranking, although he was missing an elite quality. 10th in the rank.

In 6th: Pablo Maffeo. Currently on his second consecutive loan in Spain, last year with Huesca, now Mallorca. Stuttgart owns him, and they bought him from City. 24 and has quite a few La Liga minutes. Good creator, good pressure on the ball. Decent in the air. Interesting.

5th: Fabien Centonze. 25, beginning what will be year 3 at Metz in Ligue 1. Scored against PSG last year but also made an error that led to a goal. Just netted a brace against Lille a couple weeks ago. Ball pressure, carrying, and aerial winner.

4th: Junior Sambia. The 24-y.o. has been in and around the Montpellier first team since 2017. He's a real shot creator; 6 A last year and 65 SCA, which would've been second for Arsenal. Weaker as a defender: Poor in the air, not good at pressing. Overall, I think he's a pass.

3rd: Emerson. Great ball pressure, great tackler. He wins in the air. He creates shots, and he passes aggressively. I like him. I do think this is where the prices really start to rise, though.

2nd: Zeki Celik. Good in the buildup, contributor to an attack. He gets beaten off the dribble, but also puts a lot of pressure on the ball. Pretty good dribbler, good in the air. This is year four starting at Lille, they've never finished below 4th.

Top of my list, and I swear I didn't plan it: Kevin Mbabu. Wolfsburg's main RB while Ridle Baku plays primarily on the right wing. He pressures the ball at a near-elite level and still only gets beaten by the dribble an average amount. Could be a better creator. 26, would be HG.

A couple of random shouts: Gio di Lorenzo from Napoli. Just turned 28, but he's been really good there. Very good Euros behind him. Depends on the contract and the price, but could add leadership to a young back 4 and maybe bridge to a future young replacement? 🤷‍♂️

One more that won't happen: Lyon's Leo Dubois. Offense from the right back position, personified. Not the greatest defender 😂. He's 26, and I don't see Lyon selling him, or Arsenal even wanting to deal with Aulas more than absolutely necessary. But an amazing visual.

There you have it! For the above reasons, I'm team Mbabu, then Celik, then Emerson. Of course, if other names are linked, I'll do what I can to profile them. Until then, thanks for reading!