Arsenal are the strongest team in the Premier League, but Mikel Arteta will be aware of the movements of his side’s rivals in the January transfer window.
Manchester City, for example, have signed Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, and they are hunting down Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi to replenish their defence.
Having confirmed that he and technical executive Andrea Berta will pursue opportunities before the January window closes in two weeks, Arteta’s words perhaps give credence to a number of rumours currently floating about.
Fans have voiced concerns over the Gunners’ goalscoring options, but Arsenal have struggled with injuries to key defensive personnel this term, and a new transfer target has been earmarked.
Arsenal lining up defensive signing
Man City might have Guehi in their sights, but they aren’t the only team interested in the England star, with Arsenal pushing to seal his signature at the end of the campaign.
Guehi, 25, has been urged to wait until his contract at Selhurst Park expires at the end of the season, as per Caught Offside, but City are relentless, and they are looking to seal his signature this month.
For this season, it’s perhaps important to be pragmatic, but Berta may have actually found an even bigger talent to strengthen Arteta’s backline.
According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are “real contenders” in the race for Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, who has attracted plenty of interest after a prodigious start to his career in France, with Chelsea also registering a vested interest.
Jacquet is only 20, but he’s already established himself as one of the brightest defensive prospects in the world, and he’s been valued at £35m.
Why Jacquet could be perfect for Arsenal
Arsenal have been immense in defence under Arteta’s wing. In William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, the Londoners have “the best partnership in the world“, words taken from the horse’s mouth.
Lowest xGA in the Premier League (25/26)
Club
Goals Conceded
xGA
(1) Arsenal
14
14.8
(2) Man City
19
23.1
(3) Newcastle
27
23.3
(4) Liverpool
28
23.8
(5) Man United
32
26.5
Data via FBref
Expected goals against (xGA) is the number of goals a team is expected to have conceded based on the quality and quantity of shots they face.
Jacquet has been labelled as the new Saliba by some, with a natural quality on the ball and leadership skills that suggest he could become a mainstay for Arsenal down the line.
With that in mind, perhaps he could become an even bigger talent than Guehi, who indeed captains Oliver Glasner’s side and has been hailed as “one of the league’s best defenders” by an Arsenal content writer.
So young, the France U21 international is riding the crest of a wave, and he would surely be enticed by the opportunity to move to the Emirates and dovetail into the world’s strongest defensive unit.
He’s already so strong in the duel, so calm and precise on the ball. In this, he could be a bigger talent than Guehi, who is five years his senior, who was a year his senior when he left Chelsea and signed for Crystal Palace for £18m back in 2021.
Guehi vs Jacquet – League Comparison 25/26
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
20 (20)
16 (16)
Goals + Assists
2 + 2
0 + 0
Clean sheets
7
5
Touches*
67.0
70.5
Accurate passes*
45.4 (85%)
52.2 (91%)
Big chances created
4
0
Ball recoveries*
4.4
4.0
Tackles + interceptions*
2.8
2.7
Clearances*
5.2
4.8
Duels won*
5.2 (64%)
4.4 (65%)
Data via Sofascore
It says something of Jacquet’s quality that he has already settled into a starring role for Rennes in Ligue 1. Habib Beye’s side sit sixth in the French top flight, and Jacquet has been central in
Said to have “top-five centre-back in the world potential” by analyst and scout Ben Mattinson, Jacquet could be the perfect signing to ensure Arsenal’s backline remains the meanest in the game for many years to come.
Guehi would provide Arteta with an immediate boost, but Arteta already has two powerhouses at his disposal, and Jacquet could meet them at the top in years to come.
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