The Gunners needed to find a goalscorer and they found an unexpected one in Gabriel who thought he'd scored twice, only for one to cruelly go down as an own goal instead.
Gabriel Martinelli popped up late to score two of his own after his rival on the left-hand side Leandro Trossard had ended his own goal drought. A 5-0 win was precisely what the doctor ordered as Mikel Arteta's men put themselves back into title contention.
However, with the January transfer window still open for business, they could further boost their hopes of bringing home the Premier League for the first time in 20 years.
Arsenal's midfield targets
On the agenda at some point this year is strengthening the midfield. Arsenal have been all over Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz like a rash since 2022 with three bids, the maximum of which was £25m, turned down.
Since that offer, Luiz's valuation has skyrocketed after some sterling displays for Unai Emery's charges, now reportedly valued at £100m. Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad is another to be targeted while rumours linking the Gunners with a £60m move for Everton star Amadou Onana persist.
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Yet, last week, a new name appeared, that of Dutch sensation Xavi Simons. Currently plying his trade at RB Leipzig on loan from PSG, Arsenal are one interested party should the Parisians wish to make a quick profit on their midfield man after activating a buyback clause last summer.
That's according to German publication BILD, via Sport Witness, who claim the north Londoners are 'in the picture' to acquire the 20-year-old's signature.
Barcelona, where Simons learned his trade in La Masia, and Inter Milan are also interested in a move that according to prior reports could cost around £43m.
How Xavi Simons compares to Santi Cazorla
As analyst Ben Mattinson said before Simons turned 20, he was "one of the most exciting teenagers in world football".
Key Passes
2.56
2.61
Progressive Passes
5.69
8.53
Shot-creating Actions
5.69
5.44
Goal-creating Actions
0.81
0.74
Successful take-ons
2.44
1.84
Carries
40.1
42.8
Ball Recoveries
5.38
5.37
While Cazorla was far more progressive in his passing play and took fewer shots, when it comes to general creativity and goal-scoring there's not a lot between the duo.
Their key pass rate is nearly identical, as is their ability to recover and subsequently carry the ball. It's of course important to state as well that this is Simons at the start of his career vs an ageing Cazorla. If he can get close to the Spaniard at this point in his career, there is surely no stopping the young Dutchman as he gets older.
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