Overall, Mikel Arteta's squad took a step forward this season and kept the title race alive until the final day, but a few players, including Oleksandr Zinchenko, seem to have fallen down the pecking order somewhat.
Arteta-Zinchenko-Arsenal
So, it's unsurprising that the latest player touted for a move to N5 could finally see the left-back banished from the Gunners squad altogether.
Arsenal transfer news
According to a recent report from journalist Ben Jacobs via GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal are interested in Bournemouth's exciting left-back Milos Kerkez and have already held internal discussions over the player.
Milos Kerkez
However, Jacobs also reveals that both Chelsea and Manchester United have shown more concrete interest in the 20-year-old and that the Cherries value him at around £35m and would rather not sell him this summer.
These two factors would certainly make it harder for the Gunners to complete the deal, but with Zinchenko only starting 24 games this season and the excitement around the Hungarian defender's potential, it seems like a deal well worth pursuing.
How Kerkez compares to Zinchenko
Now, the first thing to note is that Kerkez is seven years Zinchenko's junior, so while he would be able to come right into the first team and not appear too out of place, some areas of his game are just not as developed as the Ukrainian at this point.
However, with Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Jurrien Timber in the squad, he'd have plenty of time to develop and hopefully surpass the former City ace in all aspects.
kerkez-bournemouth-arsenal
With that said, how do the pair compare when looking at their underlying numbers?
Well, despite playing for an inferior side and the aforementioned age gap, the "unbelievable" Hungarian, as dubbed by journalist Bence Bocsák, stacks up well.
Kerkez vs Zinchenko
Stats per 90
Kerkez
Zinchenko
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists
0.09
0.16
Progressive Carries
2.10
2.09
Progressive Passes
2.01
12.0
Progressive Passes Received
4.25
3.04
Shots
0.73
0.89
Shots on Target
0.23
0.16
Passing Accuracy
72.6%
87.6%
Shot-Creating Actions
1.46
3.50
Tackles
2.15
2.62
Blocks
1.42
0.94
Clearances
2.74
1.36
Errors leading to a Shot
0.09
0.10
Dispossessed
0.46
0.79
Successful Take-Ons
0.55
0.37
Ball Recoveries
4.25
5.45
Aerial Duels Won
0.82
1.41
All Stats for the 23/24 Premier League Season
For example, while he comes out second best in certain metrics like ball recoveries, aerial duels won, tackles, shot-creating actions, progressive passes, non-penalty expected goals and assists, and passing accuracy per 90, he comes out ahead in just as many, including blocks, clearances, errors, the number of times he's dispossessed, shots on target, progressive passes received, and progressive carries, also per 90.
However, one area in which the "insane talent," as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, comfortably beats the Gunners star is availability.
Since making his debut for AZ Alkmaar in the 2021/22 season, he has not missed a single game through injury.
In comparison, the Radomyshl-born full-back has missed 40 games in the same period and a whopping 118 matches since the start of the 2016/17 campaign.
Kerkez-Leeds-Firpo-Farke-transfer
Ultimately, in spite of his age and relative inexperience in a top-five league, Kerkez already looks to be as good, if not better than Zinchenko, in a number of metrics and could well improve in those he isn't.
This, combined with his spotless injury record, makes him a target Edu and Co cannot afford to miss out on, even if it signals the end of the Ukrainian's time in North London.
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