Arsenal Lining Up Premier League Defender, But How Does He Compare To Current Crop?
The calls for Arsenal to stiffen their backline could very well come true in the new year, but while most Gooners are fantasising over the cream of the crop in Europe who possess god-like ball control, the Metro are reporting that Arsene Wenger is looking at West Ham centre-half Winston Reid who could cost around £6m. But how does he compare to their current crop of defenders?
Well, Arsenal’s first choice is Per Mertesacker, who over the last year has established himself as one of the most impressive defenders in the Premier League. This season he has played eight games, scoring once and winning an impressive 65% of his duels.
Reid has almost matched that, with his duel success standing at 60% from his nine games, and he too has scored one goal.
The massive difference between the two is in their ball retention. While Arsenal are happy knocking the ball around, West Ham are rifling it up the pitch which shows in Reid’s 72% pass completion to Mertesacker’s 92%.
Laurent Koscielny has had a mixed season this time round but he has also completed 92% of his passes. No Arsenal player can match Reid’s average defensive actions though – 12 – but the Frenchman comes closest with nine.
While it’s hard to compare Thomas Vermaelen to anyone this season because of his lack of playing time, Reid would certainly add a breath of fresh air, and leadership, into what some people consider a lacklustre backline.
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