Despite losing to Manchester City in consecutive Premier League title matchups, Arsenal is now among Europe’s elite. The past two seasons have seen a remarkable rise in Arsenal’s popularity. Gone are the days of despair following the departure of Arsene Wenger, when Champions League football was elusive and out of reach and an organization on the decline found bright spots in the form of several talented youngsters. Michael Arteta changed everything, revolutionized the Emirates Stadium and rewrote the narrative, turning the culture on its head, for the better.
Deepness across a variety of positions is still required, and one of the pressing concerns of the 2023–24 term was the lack of prolificness up front. However, one report suggests that that could be about to change. 173 points across two top–flight campaigns, the club-record £105 million signing of Declan Rice, and the ever-evolving brilliance of Bukayo Saka—who has been hailed as “one of the best players” in England by Wayne Rooney—would all seem to say as much.
Arsenal transfer news
Caught Offside claims that Arsenal and Liverpool are getting ready to battle for the signing of Donyell Malen, who had a stellar season with Borussia Dortmund in Germany.
Malen, a former member of Hale End, was sold to PSV Eindhoven at the age of 18, declining Chelsea and Manchester United’s offers to complete the move.
Malen, who is 25 years old, has performed well for Dortmund over the last few years and is expected to have his contract extended. However, should an offer of €40 million (£34 million) be made, the Bundesliga team would consider it.
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According to sources, the Dutchman would prefer to go back to his old haunts if he were to leave the Yellow Wall, which explains why the people in north London think they are winning the race.
Why Arsenal should sign Donyell Malen again Malen, who has nine goals and 36 caps for the Netherlands, would provide much-needed depth to Arteta’s winning team. His dynamic qualities allow him to thrive across the frontline, though his two-footedness makes him more clinical when positioned on the right wing.
Signing Malen would seem to be a smart move, given the rumors circulating about Reiss Nelson’s future in north London. Saka, on the other hand, started 45 games for his club the previous season before making a big impression for the Three Lions at Euro 2024 this summer.
Although Arsenal’s injury-free season last year was fortunate, such dominant levels of fitness cannot be taken for granted every season, and Malen would be a fantastic addition because of his different playing style from Saka’s.
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The five-foot-ten player is among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for goals scored and the top 3% for shots per ninety, according to FBref. In addition, Germany’s 2014 World Cup hero Mario Gotze described him as “extremely fast and very dangerous”.
After all, the dynamo played in 38 games last season, scoring 15 goals and dishing out five additional assists—despite the fact that ten of those appearances came off the bench.
The £97k-per-week star has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but he would join a talented and rich frontline at Arsenal and could develop into a player similar to Leandro Trossard. FBref’s statistical model compares the Belgian striker to Malen.
Additionally, Joao Felix is also available, and while Aston Villa competes to acquire the Portuguese star, Arsenal may be able to stay ahead of the game by acquiring a comparable player of maybe better caliber.
Arteta’s own Joao Felix
Felix, who joined Atletico Madrid in 2019 for £113 million, is one of the most well-known forwards on the continent. He rose to prominence following an impressive start to his professional career with Benfica. Felix is 19 years old.
After Atleti signed, La Liga Journalist Jose Delgado declared, “Spain has not had a player so exciting and young like him until now, since Ronaldo.” But such assertions would no longer hold up over time.
Similar to Malen, Felix had an unexpectedly strong season for Barcelona, finishing in the top 4% of shots attempted per 90 minutes and in the top 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for goals scored. His playmaking prowess and fluid dribbling also made him a “dangerous” outlet.
Malen, who averaged 1.6 dribbles per game in the German Bundesliga the previous season and 2.3 per game with Oranje at the European Championship, is also more than just a skilled shooter. In the league, he also gave his colleagues nine significant opportunities.
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Felix, dubbed “the football artist” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, would be a credit to Unai Emery’s Villan project. Additionally, considering that Arsenal is reportedly among the teams interested in signing a deal this summer, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, it might be prudent to pursue a player with a similar profile in Malen.
Kulig claims that Arteta is “simply unstoppable” when fit and performing, but who knows? Dortmund’s versatile attacking talent might end up being the better choice; he’s been more clinical throughout his career and his tendency to stir up danger could give Arteta the advantage in the pursuit of silverware and success at a higher level.
