Transfer mania is now well and truly here, and it looks set to be a busy summer for Arsenal.
The window isn’t even officially open yet, and Mikel Arteta’s side are reportedly closing in on the seriously impressive signing of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
However, while the Spaniard will undoubtedly improve the squad, the area of the team most in need of reinforcing is the attack, both down the middle and off the left.
One of the names linked with the Gunners in the last few days has been Bayern Munich star Leroy Sané, who’ll be available for free, but based on recent reports, the board have now identified another international as their priority for that position, an international who’d be a far better signing.
Arsenal's winger search
While Arsenal’s right-hand side looks set for years to come thanks to Bukayo Saka and the young Ethan Nwaneri, the future of the left-hand side is much more uncertain, which has seen the club linked to several incredibly talented wingers in recent weeks and months, like Daizen Maeda and Jamie Gittens.
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The former might not be a name on many wishlists, but at a reported £25m, he could be a steal, as in just 51 appearances this season, the Japanese international scored 33 goals and provided 12 assists, which comes out to a sensational average of a goal involvement every 1.13 games.
On the other hand, Gittens, who could cost around £46m, hasn’t been quite as prolific, racking up a haul of 12 goals and five assists in 48 games, but as he’s still just 20 years old, the club would be buying him for what he could be.
However, there is another name that has followed the North Londoners from last summer, Nico Williams.
According to a recent report from the Mail Online, Arsenal have maintained their strong interest in the Athletic Bilbao star and made him their ‘priority’ target for the left-wing position.
The story does not mention a price, but countless reports from the last few weeks and months have confirmed that the 22-year-old dynamo has a £50m release clause in his current contract.
It would be a costly transfer to get over the line, but Williams has proven that he’s one of the most exciting attackers around, and he’d be a far better addition to the team than Sane.
How Williams compares to Sane
So, while both internationals can, in fact, play on either wing, it feels improbable that either would ever displace Saka on the right, so if Arsenal were to sign just one of them to make the left their own, who should it be?
Well, if we start by looking at their raw output from the last two seasons, it’s Williams who takes a commanding lead.
For example, since the start of the 23/24 campaign, the “world-class” Spaniard, as dubbed by journalist Zach Lowy, has scored 19 goals and provided 25 assists in 82 appearances, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.86 games.
Appearances
37
42
Goals
8
10
Assists
18
13
Goal Involvements per Match
0.70
0.54
Appearances
45
45
Goals
11
13
Assists
7
6
Goal Involvements per Match
0.40
0.42
In contrast, Sane has scored 23 goals and provided 19 assists in 87 appearances, which is undoubtedly still impressive, but comes out to a worse average of a goal involvement every 2.07 games.
What about their underlying numbers from the last two seasons, then? Which winger comes out on top when we take a look under the hood?
Unfortunately for the former Manchester City star, it’s once again his younger competitor who takes the crown here, as in most relevant metrics, he comes out ahead.
These metrics include but are not limited to non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, goals per shot and shot on target, crosses into the penalty area, shot and goal-creating actions, tackles, blocks, successful take-ons, ball recoveries and more, all per 90.
Non-Penalty Goals + Assists
0.64
0.62
Progressive Passes
2.97
4.00
Progressive Carries
5.70
4.49
Goals per Shot
0.12
0.11
Goals per Shot on Target
0.32
0.27
Passing Accuracy
71.2%
81.2%
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.72
1.92
Crosses into the Penalty Area
0.62
0.16
Shot-Creating Actions
5.05
4.86
Goal-Creating Actions
0.73
0.63
Tackles
1.09
1.07
Blocks
0.85
0.62
Interceptions
0.22
0.33
Clearances
0.32
0.11
Successful Take-Ons
3.33
2.96
Ball Recoveries
4.71
4.41
Aerial Duels Won
0.38
0.23
Finally, on top of having the better output and underlying numbers, it’s important to remember that the Pamplona-born ace is also seven years the German’s junior, so there is every chance, and it is in fact quite likely, that he’ll only get better over the subsequent few campaigns.
In contrast, with him set to turn 30 midway through next season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bayern star start to regress in the coming years.
Ultimately, while both Williams and Sane are great players, the former is significantly better and has the potential to develop further, and therefore, Arsenal should do all they can to sign him this summer.
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