It’s difficult to remember when the mood in the Arsenal fanbase has been this positive.
While there are several reasons why, the most significant factor is undoubtedly Eberechi Eze’s arrival.
The England international has been one of the most entertaining players in the Premier League for years, and just before their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur got their hands on him, the Gunners swooped in to bring him back to the Emirates.
Now with less than a week until the window closes, it looks like the club could be about to bring in another talented player in an Eze repeat.
Arsenal eye Eze repeat
While Arsenal have made a few signings from foreign leagues this summer, Andrea Berta and Co have made good use of the Premier League market as well.
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On top of Eze, the Italian oversaw deals to sign Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea and then, staying in West London, a deal to sign Christian Norgaard from Brentford.
In years gone by, that would be more than enough business for the Gunners, but now it looks like they could be going back to the Bees for another star in an Eze-esque deal.
At least that is according to a recent report from Graeme Bailey, who has claimed that Arsenal are interested in Nathan Collins.
The journalist has revealed that the Brentford captain has caught the eye of several top sides this summer, and alongside Spurs, the Gunners are one of them.
While the West Londoners do want to sell the 24-year-old, who they signed for just £23m a couple of seasons ago, there are still six days left until the window closes, and therefore every chance the Gunners could pull off an Eze repeat.
Why signing Collins would be an Eze repeat
While Eze and Collins obviously play in totally different positions on the pitch, there are plenty of reasons why Arsenal signing the latter would mirror their deal for the former.
The first reason, and then one their fans will likely enjoy the most, is that it could be yet another example of them hijacking a move for a player Spurs want to sign.
Baliey’s story makes it clear that one of the other sides currently most interested in the defender is the Lilywhites, and therefore, if the Gunners get in first, it’d give the fans yet more opportunity to gloat.
Another key similarity between the two is that both were, or are, in Collins’ case, key players for a fellow London-based Premier League side.
For example, although he doesn’t receive nearly as much media attention, the Irish titan is now Brentford’s captain and has made 80 appearances for the club.
Moreover, he’s not just earned the armband through his leadership skills, but also for the fact that he’s an immense centre-back.
In fact, journalist Mario Marra has gone as far as dubbing him “one of the best defenders in the Premier League,” and while that might sound somewhat hyperbolic, his underlying numbers suggest it might not be.
According to FBref, he ranked in the top 1% of centre-backs in the Premier League last season for shots blocked, the top 3% for overall blocks, the top 4% for assists, the top 9% for shot-creating actions, the top 11% for aerial duels won and more, all per 90.
In other words, while he doesn’t attract many headlines, the Bees star is an accomplished defender who excels at the basics and is more than adept at the technical aspects of the game.
GCA (Fouls Drawn)
0.05
Top 1%
Shots Blocked
1.50
Top 1%
Penalty Kicks Won
0.05
Top 1%
Blocks
2.03
Top 3%
Touches (Att Pen)
1.82
Top 3%
Assists
0.08
Top 4%
npxG/Shot
0.15
Top 9%
SCA (Fouls Drawn)
0.05
Top 9%
Goal-Creating Actions
0.21
Top 9%
GCA (Dead-ball Pass)
0.03
Top 9%
Aerials Won
3.08
Top 11%
Fouls Drawn
0.82
Top 12%
Goals + Assists
0.13
Top 13%
Ultimately, from beating Spurs to another player, the team he currently plays for, and his overall quality, signing Collins would be something of an Eze repeat for Arsenal.
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