Bid made: Arsenal eye Saka & Foden hybrid who's "one of the best players in the world" - opinion

Brazilian, as dubbed by former manager Xavi, while Foden comes in as number five. These similarities can be seen best in individual underlying statistics, such as their non-penalty expected goal figures, number of shot-creating actions, successful take-ons, clearances, ball recoveries, and more per 90.

Raphinha compared to Saka & Foden

Stats per 90

Raphinha

Saka

Foden

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.43

0.33

0.33

Expected Assists

0.38

0.32

0.26

Goals

0.39

0.49

0.60

Progressive Passes

3.75

3.89

5.30

Goal-Creating Actions

0.86

0.65

0.66

Successful Take-Ons

1.58

1.51

1.48

Clearances

0.72

0.74

0.57

Shots

3.82

3.15

3.31

Touches in the Defensive Third

5.26

5.62

5.49

Ball Recoveries

4.87

4.78

4.01

All Stats via FBref for the 23/24 League Season

This just demonstrates that while Arteta wouldn't be getting a player perhaps on the same level as the two Englishmen, he'd be getting one capable of filling in when needed and maybe even fighting for a spot in the team should the Arsenal star's form dip, as shown by his 15 goals and assists in 28 La Liga games this season.

raphinha-la-liga-barcelona

Ultimately, with the Ealing-born superstar having already made 226 first-team appearances for the North Londoners at just 22 years old, it's imperative that Edu and Co bring in a talented right-winger who could lighten the load, and Raphinha, or "one of the best players in the world", as Xavi once described him, looks like he could be the perfect fit for that.

Sesko-Martinelli-Arsenal