Transfer Focus

Arsenal: Arteta can form dynamic duo by signing Mykhaylo Mudryk

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Image for Arsenal: Arteta can form dynamic duo by signing Mykhaylo Mudryk

Arsenal are looking to add to their churning force of players this season and may target a January swoop for Shakhtar Donetsk’s burgeoning Mykhaylo Mudryk, who could combine with fellow compatriot Oleksandr Zinchenk down the left. 

What’s the word?

Last month, Carlo Nicolini, Shakhtar’s deputy vice chairman, confirmed to Calciomercatoweb.it that Arsenal and Manchester City had piqued interest regarding the young talent’s services, and were potentially set to intensify interest in the coming months.

He also suggested that it would take more than the £85m it cost Manchester United to sign Antony during the summer transfer window.

Now, it has been revealed that his Shakhtar and Ukraine teammate Anatoly Trubin believes he’s going to the Gunners in the near future, having told reporters (via Football24): “And in the team, we can tell him – well, you’re already at Arsenal, let’s all go. [smiles]. But so that it is somehow tough, no.”

Ukrainian unity down the left 

Giving a stellar account for himself across the first few months of the campaign, Mudryk has notched seven goals and assists apiece in just 14 appearances, including five direct goal contributions in the Champions League alone.

And with Arsenal topping the tables on the domestic and European front, the prospect of joining the project is certainly tantalising, and technical director Edu will be eager to make a move for the touted prospect, who has Ballon d’Or winning potential, according to teammate Taras Stepanenko

Mudryk, at just 21 years old, is emerging as one of the premier talents in European football and could lift Arsenal to heights not seen for an age. 

Indeed, he is young but brimming with pace and guile, with a prolific hunger that provides a hapless task for many opposition defences. 

Whilst the frontal left-flank is currently occupied by the marvellous Gabriel Martinelli, who has contributed five goals and two assists this term, shaping into a fierce forward for his team, further youthful firepower could be welcomed with open arms at the Emirates Stadium in order to continue to the pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts.

The prodigious talent would also ease into life in London with the aid of established compatriot Zinchenko, who made the move to the club himself this summer, signing in a £32m deal from Premier League champions Manchester City. 

Mudryk is known for his blistering pace and elegance with the ball at his feet, and his eagerness for goals and assists sets him at the upper echelon of forwards vying for prominence on the European stage. 

Indeed, FBref ranks him within the top 1% for non-penalty goals compared to positional peers within Europe’s top five leagues, and within the top 4% for assists in the same category. 

With Zinchenko a ball-playing monster from left-back, his assurance on the ball and eye for a defence-splitting pass could knit together with Mudryk’s own skill set.

The Ukrainian, who talent scout Jacek Kulig described as “on fire” earlier this season, is grasping the role for someone of his potential, and starting to prove his mettle amongst Europe’s very best.

Mudryk would slot right into Arteta’s well-oiled machine, and perhaps even rival Martinelli for a starting spot in the side, such is the prowess that he oozes on the pitch, maturing with each passing week. 

The £43.3m-rated dynamo – who Shakhtar’s chief Darijo Srna dubbed a “serious talent” who is only behind Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr – will flourish on the biggest stage, and Arteta should just make sure that he dazzles at the Emirates Stadium, and not for a European rival.

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