The new Gabriel: Arsenal line up move to sign an “insane CB in the making”
While it’s not all been plain sailing, Mikel Arteta has got an awful lot right since taking the Arsenal job six years ago.
One area where he’s seen more success than failure has been transfers.
The likes of Declan Rice, David Raya, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard and Jurrien Timber have all been transformational additions made to the team under the Spaniard’s stewardship.
However, when it comes to Arteta’s best signing, it’s hard to look past the monstrous Gabriel Magalhães, and if reports are to be believed, Arsenal could soon sign their next version of the centre-back.
Arsenal target their new Gabriel
While most of the team have performed to a great level so far this season – they are top of the league after all – there have been a few real standouts for Arsenal.
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Perhaps the most impressive, alongside Rice, has been Gabriel.
The Brazilian titan has combined his no-nonsense throwback style of defending with an often underappreciated level of technical ability to become arguably Arteta’s most important defender, just ahead of the unreal William Saliba.
On top of his work at the back, he’s also become an even bigger goal threat at the other end of the pitch, be that with his head or, like against the Cherries, with his feet.
With all that said, it’s hardly a surprise to see the club eyeing up another defender who could be their next Gabriel.
At least, that’s according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, which claims Arsenal are among several sides interested in Jeremy Jacquet.
Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are ‘tracking’ the 20-year-old gem.
A potential price for the youngster is not mentioned in the report, but stories from earlier this month stated that £35m could be enough to tempt Stade Rennais into selling amid claims the Gunners had already held initial talks over signing the youngster.
Therefore, it could be a complicated and somewhat costly transfer to get over the line, but given Jacquet’s ability and potential, one Arsenal should be all over, especially as he could be another Gabriel.
Why Jacquet could be another Gabriel
Now, there are, of course, some differences between Jacquet and Gabriel, but there are more than a few similarities between them and their potential transfers.
The first is that, as with the Brazilian in 2020, if the Frenchman were to join the Gunners in January or the summer window, he would be moving from Ligue 1 as a highly rated defensive prospect.
For example, ahead of his move to the Emirates, former LOSC Lille owner Gerard Lopez described the Gunners’ number six as “among the top five dominant central defenders in Europe” and that “he’s an absolute machine.”
Similar things have already been said about the Rennais gem, with respected analyst-turned-scout Ben Mattinson describing him as having “top five centre-back in the world potential” and U23 scout Antonio Mango claiming that “whoever signs him is getting a monster.”
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Another trait that the “insane CB in the making,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, shares with the North Londoners’ star man is that he’s a colossus at the back while also having real quality on the ball.
For example, FBref rank him in the top 3% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for tackles in the attacking third, the top 4% for interceptions, the top 6% for tackles plus interceptions, the top 12% for key passes, the top 15% for expected assisted goals and more, all per 90.
Finally, as Mattinson highlights, the Frenchman’s “jumping prowess and ability to create separation” helps him to “be dominant in aerial duels and on set-pieces”, which sounds a lot like the Gunners’ Brazilian star.
Jacquet’s Scout Report
Statistics
Per 90
Percentile
Tackles (Att 3rd)
0.27
Top 3%
Interceptions
1.69
Top 4%
Pass Completion % (Long)
75.1%
Top 5%
Tkl+Int
3.64
Top 6%
Tackles (Mid 3rd)
0.77
Top 11%
Key Passes
0.46
Top 12%
% of Aerials Won
67.6%
Top 14%
xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals
0.05
Top 15%
Tackles Won
1.23
Top 15%
Tackles
1.95
Top 16%
Successful Take-Ons
0.34
Top 18%
All Stats via FBref
Ultimately, it won’t be easy to get over the line, but Arsenal should do what they can to sign Jacquet, as he looks like a superstar in the making and could be another Gabriel.
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