Despite Mikel Arteta’s brief time at Arsenal, the new head coach is already proving he can take the club forward in a manner predecessor Unai Emery was unable to do.
And with Premier League football about to resume after the coronavirus lockdown, the Spaniard will be able to continue his already impressive work reviving the ailing Gunners.
His side are eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with 10 games to play, but the prospect of finishing fifth also being opened up for Champions League qualification due to Manchester City’s European ban means there is still plenty to play for. Of course, Arteta will also have one eye on his longer-term future at the Emirates with a pivotal transfer window quickly coming his way.
And while the future of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains uncertain, Arteta will want to make his own signings to suit the brand of football he is trying to implement.
One player who could be a suitable option is Norwich City attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendia.
The 23-year-old Argentinian has had an impressive first season in the Premier League, but still has plenty of scope to develop, both reasons why he could earn himself a big move if the Canaries are relegated to the Championship.
In a struggling team, Buendia has been highly active in ball-carrying, pressing and chance creation - and the latter would be a welcome addition to Arsenal’s midfield.
According to data provider Twenty3, Buendia’s Expected Assists (xA) of 6.04 rank as the 12th best in the Premier League, impressive considering Norwich’s struggles.
However, Buendia’s arrival could lead to a fundamental change in the way Arsenal attack.
His involvement from the right side of midfield this season suggests he may not be required as Arsenal’s £72m record signing Nicolas Pepe primarily works from the right.
However, as shown by the graphic below, the Norwich man most works in the half space between the central and right-sided areas - regularly interchanging with the full-back to provide more width.
Buendia tends to receive ball in narrower positions than a winger (Twenty3)
And his 2.19 shots assisted per 90 minutes show how Buendia is constantly involved in key areas of the pitch, and such influence could prove even more beneficial when surrounded by the likes of Aubameyang and Pepe.
So the introduction of Buendia into Arteta’s Arsenal team could see Pepe used more in the central areas where he had so much success with Lille in Ligue 1 or even interchanged with the Argentinian in the right-sided role.
That type of versatility and unpredictability to Arsenal’s attack has been lacking this season and may explain why they have been inconsistent at times.
Arsenal are on the lookout for attacking midfielders to be the long-term heir to Mesut Ozil at the Emirates and football.london understands Orkun Kokcu at Feyenoord and Gent's Jonathan David are just two of the players on their radar.
And Buendia could be another option who fits the bill to solve a long-term issue in Arteta's plans of replacing his mercurial playmaker, but also a short-term one too of getting the best from Pepe.
Buendia could cost as much as £30m given the four years left on his Norwich contract, and that may put Arsenal off in the current uncertain financial climate but the Canaries' own uncertainty over their Premier League status could put them in a vulnerable position to offers for their prized asset.
However, the youngster’s progression in his debut Premier League season means he warrants consideration by the Arsenal recruitment team.
