Arsenal can forget about Zubimendi by signing the £50m “monster duel-winner”.

It was another close affair so far for Arsenal this year, as Mikel Arteta's side fell just short of Manchester City in the Premier League for the second successive campaign.

However, there is no rest for the bad guys, as the transfer window is about to open, Edu Gaspar and Co will work hard trying to bring in the right players to do it for the third time next year.

That said, one of those being looked at, Martin Zubimendi, is said to be unsure about a move to England, and while that's not good, the club already looks set to have another full-fledged one.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from The Standard, Everton midfielder Amadou Onana is one of the options Arsenal are looking at ahead of the summer transfer window.

In addition to the Gunners, the report names Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United as parties linked to the Belgian and conveys an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws, where he announced his desire to play for a “top club.”

The story did not mention a potential price, but a Football Insider report late last week said the Toffees could accept a £50m offer for the “outstanding” midfielder, as talent scout Jacek Kulig called it, due to concerns about PSR.

It would be an expensive and potentially challenging deal to negotiate with Edu and Co, but with Zubimendi looking set to stay in Spain, it could be something worth pursuing.

How did Onana compare to Zubimendi

Now, with Zubimendi's deal looking unlikely, it would be good to see how the Spaniard compares to Onana, to determine whether the Everton ace would be a good replacement, or upgrade.

The first thing to note is that the two play in the same position, with the Spaniard starting 38 games as a defensive midfielder and five as a central midfielder this season, while the Belgian has started 17 games in both midfield positions, and neither has registered more than four goals. this season.

However, the difference between the two becomes more apparent when you look at their basic numbers.

For example, the Real Sociedad ace seems to know something with the ball at his feet, writing with high accuracy and producing continuous passes and carries with 90.

However, the Toffees' “one-man army”, named Kulig, is also not bad on the ball, as he produces the expected non-penalty goal and assists many people, receives continuous passes, and produces many shots. actions at 90 and takes more shots than his potential competition.

In addition, he could be very useful in a deep role for the Gunners, as he makes and wins more passes, completes more ball recoveries, wins more aerial contests, loses control of the ball more often and is dispossessed less often, all in 90. .

In the end, although missing out on Zubimendi is far from dire, Everton's “monster duel winner”, as described by commentator Raj Chohan, looks like he might be the better option.

His defensive strength and 6 foot 4 frame would make him a perfect six, thus allowing Declan Rice to become the team's long-term eight at one time.