Arsenal have been linked with several central midfielders ahead of the January transfer window, as Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen his squad.
Thomas Partey has spent most of this season injured, and Arsenal may look to sign someone who can replace both his physicality as well as his ball progression ability in the middle of the park.
Declan Rice has been outstanding at the base of midfield, whilst Kai Havertz has also started finding his feet in recent weeks, but another physical option who can both cover for Rice, and play alongside him in tough away games, may be desired.
There have been links to Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa, Joao Palhinha of Fulham and Andre of Fluminense, and in recent days Everton midfielder Amadou Onana has been touted as an option.
Arsenal are watching Amadou Onana
Arsenal are said to be watching the 22-year-old Everton star, who has been outstanding under Sean Dyche since his £33m move from Lille at the start of last season.
The Belgium international adds both incredible physicality and good awareness in midfield, and ranks in the top 5% of European midfielders for aerial duels.
Former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez even compared Onana to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, who is arguably the club’s best-ever midfielder given his strength on the ball and intelligence going forward.
“Sometimes he reminds you of a young Patrick Vieira in the way that he can drive with the ball,” Martinez stated of Onana last year.
“That’s a young player, he’s going to be 21 next week, so you’re still talking about potential, but what is already there is the leadership and the captain material that he brings to Everton.”
Would Amadou Onana be a good signing for Arsenal?
A problem with Onana is that he would come with a high price tag, as Everton would likely want to make a significant profit should he move on.
Like Rice before him, he is playing in a team which does not dominate possession, meaning that his overall passing stats are not impressive compared to someone like Partey, but he may have the fundamentals to improve his game should he join Mikel Arteta’s side.
Onana’s mobility, physicality and intelligence makes him a suitable fit for this Arsenal midfield, and the prospect of Onana playing alongside Rice could make an already top-class defence even better.
If Arsenal are able to play such a physically dominant midfield in tough Champions League ties, and in trips to face teams such as Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, it could seriously improve their chances of success this season.
Dennis Bergkamp highlighted the importance of a strong defensive unit in Arsene Wenger’s most successful sides, and these teams would see Patrick Vieira line up alongside Emmanuel Petit or Gilberto Silva. With Rice already thriving at the Emirates, Onana could be the final piece of the puzzle.
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