Arsenal are seemingly in constant transition these days.

The era of them going out and bringing in already established world class stars seem to be over.

The North London giants should go back to a time when they spotted world class potential and go out and build their squad around talented youth players ready to break the glass ceiling.

Just like Patrick Vieira did in the late nineties.

He was a young French midfielder that joined from AC Milan and who soon dominated the Premier League with his commanding and energetic displays. He would soon become an international and help Les Bleus to World Cup triumph in 1998.

One player of a similar mould could be current Ajax starlet Ryan Gravenberch.

Still only eighteen years old, Ryan has already made himself a fixture in de Godenzonen first team.

His performances in The Eredivisie and in Europe have seen the youngster propelled straight into Frank de Boer’s Dutch national squad.

Although he’s predominantly a central midfielder, he can also be deployed in that holding role that protects the backline.

Gravenberch also has the ability to venture forward. He’s bagged himself four goals so far this term and more than a handful of assists too. He has no issues with lashing the ball goal-wards.

Like most Dutch internationals, Ryan is comfortable taking the ball to his feet no matter where he is on the park. The young midfielder has tidy ball control and is a natural dribbler and that helps get the ball into attacking areas. He also has the physique that makes it easy to brush opponents off, whenever they’re challenging.

In the league, Ryan Gravenberch possesses an 86.8% passing success rate. He also makes more than one tackle per game and 1.5 interceptions (Stats via Whoscored). He could and probably will improve on those defensive stats as he gets more experience in the bigger encounters.

Ajax coach Erik ten Hag has also suggested that this will happen:

“He has a lot of capacities, especially in an attacking sense … but he also comes to understand ‘that other work’ better and better,”

Via One Football

For Arsenal, Ryan would be strong if partnered alongside Thomas Partey. They’d create a strong midfield core that could be disciplined and also get the ball forward. The Gunners have definitely missed having an engine-room that can win the toughest of battles.

Granit Xhaka just isn’t good enough to get Arsenal back in the top four positions in the Premier League. I don’t think The Gunners will want to sign Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos on a permanent basis. Mohamed Elneny isn’t any more than a bit-part player.

To progress, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will need to bring in another top class central midfielder.

I think Ryan Gravenberch would be a great fit but I’m sure some some of Europe’s elite sides will be scouting the Dutch youngster, in the hope of securing his signature. I am also not certain Ajax will be desperate to sell the teenager this summer!

Maybe The Gunners can offer a large fee to Ajax and give the player guaranteed first-team football, which would give Ryan the chance to shine in one of the world’s top leagues.

Posted on April 7th, 2021 by scott
Filed under: Article