Arsenal’s Potential Transfer Coup: A New Striker in Sight
Arsenal, long the Premier League’s “nearly team,” may be on the brink of a breakthrough. After finishing just behind Manchester City for the second consecutive season, Mikel Arteta’s squad showed significant improvement, making it feel like a title win is imminent rather than a distant dream.
A potential new signing could be the key to this success. The Gunners are reportedly targeting VfB Stuttgart’s star striker Serhou Guirassy, a player who managed to outscore Erling Haaland in league goals last season. According to German publication BILD, Arsenal is one of several clubs interested in securing Guirassy’s services, alongside Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan.
Arsenal’s Striker Search Intensifies
Guirassy, valued at a bargain price of €18m to €20m (£15m to £17m), has caught the eye of multiple top clubs. Despite the competition, this could be a deal too good to pass up for Arsenal’s technical director, Edu Gaspar.
Comparing Guirassy to Haaland and Havertz
Guirassy’s stats from last season are impressive. In 28 Bundesliga games, he scored 28 goals and provided two assists, averaging a goal involvement every 0.93 games. In comparison, Erling Haaland scored 27 goals and provided five assists in 31 Premier League games, averaging a goal involvement every 0.96 games.
Comparing Guirassy to Arsenal’s current first-choice striker, Kai Havertz, further highlights his prowess. Havertz managed 13 goals and seven assists in 37 league games, with an average of a goal involvement every 1.85 games. Guirassy’s superior stats make him a compelling upgrade.
Guirassy vs. Haaland vs. Havertz League Records
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Goals per Match | Goal Involvements per Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guirassy | 28 | 28 | 2 | 1.00 | 1.07 |
| Haaland | 31 | 27 | 5 | 0.87 | 1.03 |
| Havertz | 37 | 13 | 7 | 0.35 | 0.54 |
Beyond his impressive goal tally, Guirassy excels in various underlying metrics. He has a higher non-penalty expected goals and assists figure, more non-penalty goals, and a better conversion rate for shots and shots on target compared to Havertz.
Guirassy vs. Havertz Performance Stats (per 90 minutes)
| Stats | Guirassy | Havertz |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Penalty Goals + Assists | 0.99 | 0.54 |
| Non-Penalty Goals | 0.98 | 0.41 |
| Shots | 3.59 | 2.32 |
| Goals per Shot | 0.27 | 0.18 |
| Shots on Target | 1.63 | 0.92 |
| Goals per Shot on Target | 0.60 | 0.44 |
Conclusion
Described as “insane” by U23 scout Antonio Mango and “outrageous” by journalist Seb Stafford-Bloor, Guirassy’s stellar performance last season indicates his potential to be an elite goalscorer. If Arsenal can secure this transfer, they would be adding a versatile and prolific striker to their roster, potentially securing the bargain of the decade and boosting their chances for Premier League glory.