A lot has changed at Arsenal since Mikel Arteta was appointed manager in December 2019.
The club went from mid-table laugh stock to serious contenders for the Premier League, Champions League and all other competitions participating.
The Spaniards’ tactical approach promotes that transformation and a complete overhaul of the team, with many star players coming in and many moving forward.
Perhaps one of the most popular players to leave the club in recent years was Granite Zaka. He enjoyed sensational turnarounds from sensational enemies, with the first title charge of the club under Arteta, and with the first title charge of those serenaded by the Emirates in his final appearance.
It’s fair to say that since Swiss International left, teams may have lacked certain tenacity. So fans should be excited about the report linking them to players who could become the new Xhaka.
Arsenal business summer
As things stand, this summer is becoming a very special shape for Arsenal.
Andrea Berta and Co are already announced by Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard, but appear to be working overtime to make a deal ahead of the preseason.
Plus, along with the free-scoring monster, the Victor Gyoker who was able to provide medical care tomorrow or weekend, there are rumors about Everach Eze, making the gunner appear to be in serious danger next season.
However, the people of North London seem to be doing there as they are linked to an international thing that can be seen as Arteta’s new Xhaka.
At the very least, it confirmed that Arsenal is interested in João Palhinha, according to a recent report from the German publication Bild.
In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that the gunners are already having serious discussions about the midfield star.
The report doesn’t mention the price, but last month’s story claims he’s no longer on Vincent Company’s plans so it can be used for just £30 million.
It may not be the most exciting signature, but Pargigna is a known amount and someone who may be able to add another bite to Arsenal’s team as Xhaka once did.
Why Pargigna could become Arsenal’s new Xhaka
If Arsenal can move forward with the move and bring Parshinya to the Emirates, he could potentially join as a team player with Diklan Rice, Zubimendi and Martin Odegard leaving the midfield of the first choice.
But that doesn’t mean he still couldn’t make a big impact as the first name from the bench or as many games to play.
That being said, why did he become Arteta’s new Xhaka?
The first similarity is that he moves from the Bundesliga to the club, like at Swiss International. Additionally, last season he won the league, as the ace did in his first campaign in Germany in 2023/2024.
Secondly, although he may not be as technical as the Odegard type, Portugal International is a midfielder warrior, like the former Borussia Menchenradbach star, who is caught up in a challenge, even if it sometimes falls at his own disadvantage.
For example, in 68 Premier League matches at Fulham, he won 27 yellow cards, and the Basel-born ace scored 55 in 225 games, working out one for every 2.51 and 4.09 games, respectively.
However, you should not read it as the previous cottage ace is responsible. It’s the question of him constantly breaking opposition plays and putting out the fires.
In fact, in the 23/24 season, the “world class” international, known as journalist Dom Smith, made the most tackle in the entire league, coming with 152, while second-placed Joao Gomes only managed 128.
What’s more, he didn’t get as much game time as he wanted last season, but midfield “Monster” was Marcus Bring, Data Analystthere are still some seriously impressive fundamental numbers to show for his efforts.
Pargigna scout report | ||
---|---|---|
statistics | Around 90 | Percentile |
Pass completion percentage (short) | 96.6% | Top 1% |
GCA (shot) | 0.11 | Top 1% |
Tackle (to the third) | 0.74 | Top 1% |
The dribbler worked on it | 1.81 | Top 1% |
Pass completed % | 92.4% | Top 3% |
The tackle won | 2.13 | Top 3% |
Touch (mid-3 days) | 56.49 | Top 3% |
Dribbler % worked on it | 65.4% | Top 4% |
The air won | 2.34 | Top 4% |
The pass is complete | 68.72 | Top 5% |
Total passing distance | 1082.55 | Top 6% |
Tackle (mid-3 days) | 1.60 | Top 6% |
Blocked path | 1.38 | Top 6% |
All statistics via FBREF |
According to FBREF, he ranks in the top 1% of the midfielders in Europe’s top 5 leagues, working on everything about 90, including goal-creating action from the shot, third-offensive tackle, dribbler tackles, top 3% of pass completions.
Finally, he is most effective in defensive and mid-center fields, but the Lisboa-born star, like Bayer Lebakusen’s ace, is known to gain some long-range morale, so he can cut goals here and there.
Ultimately, he may not be a regular starter, but Parkigna is a great addition to Arsenal’s team and thanks to his tenacity, experience and ability to hit the ball, he even became Arteta’s new Zaka.
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