Winners and losers from a Xavi Simons transfer to Arsenal, including Gabriel Martinelli and Eberechi Eze impact

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal are on the hunt for further attacking additions after completing their fourth signing of the summer.

Noni Madueke is delighted to join Arsenal and becomes the second player signed from Chelsea this summer after the capture of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Arsenal are not finished with their business yet and whilst talks remain ongoing over the signing of Viktor Gyokeres, they have their eyes set on further flair.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Gunners are interested in RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons and Arsenal Insider has assessed the impact on the current squad any potential arrival would have.

READ MORE: Player Mikel Arteta released returned to Arsenal with Noni Madueke to watch him sign for the Gunners

Winners from a potential Xavi Simons transfer to Arsenal

Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta will be licking his lips at the prospect of adding Simons to his front line that already contains the likes of Bukayo Saka.

Last season, there were times when you felt sorry for the Gunners boss as his tactics and plans went out of the window due to his attack being decimated with injuries.

Simons would add variety and versatility to his options but despite being only 22, the Dutch international has plenty of experience on the world stage.

At Leipzig he has thrived playing just off of the left or in a more prominent number ten role, both positions are up for grabs at the Gunners.

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz is out to prove a point this season and will be eager to remind people that he was on course for his best goal scoring season in English football before a hamstring injury ended his campaign early.

The potential arrival of Gyokeres will add competition for the centre forward position but Havertz has been backed by Jamie Carragher to keep his place.

The German has also impressed in pre-season training and with somebody like Simons creating chances, the goals could soon flow once again.

Havertz just needs to improve his composure when finishing but with a player like Simons buzzing around him, those opportunities to score will be arriving often.

Losers from a potential Xavi Simons transfer to Arsenal

Eberechi Eze

Arsenal made enquiries to sign Eberechi Eze but their interest in Simons could suggest that a deal for the Crystal Palace man is stalling.

The Gunners need to sell some players in order to raise funds for further additions but have been hoping they can persuade the Premier League side to sell Eze under his £68m release clause.

Leandro Trossard was mentioned in a swap deal for Eze but it is highly unlikely that Arsenal would sign both him and Simons given their similar attributes and positions.

Martin Odegaard

It is a big season for Arsenal’s captain Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian will already be put under serious pressure for his place by Ethan Nwaneri and now could have Simons vying for his spot too.

Odegaard was poor by his usual high standards last campaign and despite an ankle injury mitigating his form, it simply wasn’t good enough at times from the 26-year-old.

The skipper is Arteta’s main man in attack and the majority of moves go through Odegaard, however, there are certain limitations to his game.

He struggles carrying the ball with any real pace and conviction, and also doesn’t have elite ball striking abilities.

These are things that Simons possesses in abundance and could represent a change in approach from Arteta and his team.

Gabriel Martinelli

Speaking of players that need a big season in North London, Gabriel Martinelli is under scrutiny to perform this campaign.

The most frustrating part about Martinelli’s form over the last two seasons is that when fit and firing, he is arguably the most exciting player in Arteta’s side.

However, it simply has not clicked for the Brazilian and Simons prefers a role on that left flank where he can then drift inside and get involved in the build up play.

Martinelli has attracted interest from Bayern Munich and will be keen to impress this pre-season, otherwise his future could be in jeopardy at the club.