Four Leeds United players Arsenal should try to sign this summer


Luke Ayling

Four Leeds United players Arsenal should try to sign this summer


by Brian Matovu

This weekend Arsenal return to the Emirates to face Leeds United in what is a huge game for the Gunners as they aim to take one step closer to securing Champions League football for next season.

Arsenal are in pole position to clinch the final top-four spot but face stiff competition from north-London rivals Tottenham who are just two points off them and will play host to the Gunners next week, in what is set to be a winner-takes-all fixture.

However, the game is just as big for Leeds United who are right in the middle of a relegation dogfight with Burnley and Everton, with all three sides battling it out to avoid taking up the final relegation spot.

But ahead of such an important clash for both teams, let’s take a look at four players from Leeds that Arsenal could make a move for this summer to boost Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of next season.

1. Raphinha


This comes as no surprise with everybody licking their lips at the prospect of signing the silky Brazilian at a reduced price should Leeds United go down at the end of May.

The winger has been the standout player in the United squad this season, scoring ten and assisting three in 31 Premier League matches this season.

Raphinha would offer a different dimension on Arsenal’s right-hand side and take the pressure off Bukayo Saka should he get injured or miss a lengthy period of time. Arsenal have no adequate replacement as the signing of Nicolas Pepe looks to have failed. 

Though Raphinha’s preferred position is on the right-wing, the Brazilian’s versatility means that he can play on either side as well as operate in the number 10 role if required. 

He has fantastic close control, dribbling ability and agility that harkens similarities to Riyad Mahrez, a player Arsenal were once interested in.

Raphihna

It is thought that the former Rennes man has a release clause of around £25m, which can be triggered should Leeds be relegated from the top flight. In this current market that would be an absolute steal.

2. Kalvin Phillips


Another player the Gunners should be all over, if he becomes available, is deep plying-playmaker Kalvin Phillips.

Back from his recent injury struggles, the England international is integral to Leeds’ success - there is a clear difference when Phillips plays compared to when he does not. 

According to LUFCDATA.com, Leeds have conceded a Premier League goal every 75 minutes with Phillips on the pitch and conceded a goal every 34 minutes without him on the pitch in 2021/22 so far.

Phillips is a natural defensive midfielder who doesn’t mind a tackle. He can also carry the ball through midfield and press well when his side are out of possession. Another distinctive quality of Phillips’ game is that he has a passing range that can match any Premier League midfielder.

A recent issue for the midfield is a growing overreliance on Thomas Partey. The signing of Phillips would take that pressure off Partey as well as give Arteta better midfield options should the Ghanaian get injured which has been a familiar story throughout his short Arsenal career.

Similar to Raphinha, the Daily Mail claims that Phillips could be available for as little as £25m if Leeds are relegated.

3. Patrick Bamford


One of the main issues the Gunners will have to resolve this summer is up front.

Arteta’s current striker options consist of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah and it is evident that those two alone won’t be enough if the Gunners want to be competing on all fronts for major honours next season.

Patrick Bamford has perhaps become something of a forgotten man due to an injury-ravaged season, appearing just nine times with his last appearance of note coming in March. 

But when fit, Bamford is a marksman and last season he was the fourth top scorer in the league, netting 

17 Premier League goals as well as registering 7 assists to guide Leeds to a ninth place finish in their first season back in the top-flight since 2004.

To put that into perspective, Lacazette has never scored more than 14 league goals in each of his five seasons at Arsenal.

Bamford’s timings of runs and speed of thought enable him to be in positions to score and his finishing ability is amongst the best in the dvision.

4. Luke Ayling


Maybe now, the time is right to bring Luke Ayling back home!

The Leeds right-back started his professional career at Arsenal and was part of the youth team's double-winning team of the 2008–09 season featuring the likes of Jack Wilshere, Henri Lansbury and Francis 
Coquelin.

Ayling should be signed strictly as cover for Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has been a revelation of a signing at right-back. But, as is often the case with Arsenal, he has missed a lot of time out due to injury and our current back-up Cedric has performed poorly when called upon.

The 30-year-old would provide better defensive cover than the Portugal full-back. He is much taller, stronger, equally as good on the ball and can also fill in at centre back should Arteta be faced with any other defensive issues.

Photo credit: Getty Images

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