Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has identified a current Liverpool loanee as a potential alternative to Youri Tielemans and could make a move in the coming months…

What’s the news?

According to CalcioMercato, Arteta ‘really likes’ Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo, who is currently on a season-long loan spell at Liverpool.

The Brazilian could be seen as a potential alternative to their interest in Tielemans with no move for the Leicester City player materialising as of yet ahead of his contract expiring in the summer.

As a result, Arteta might seek other options.

Arteta eyes Arthur

Many of the Arsenal faithful may be surprised to see the club linked with a player that has played just 13 minutes of senior football this season, but when Arthur is fit, he could be a worthy addition to the Arsenal squad.

At his peak, the Brazilian star, who Liverpool can purchase for £33m in the summer, can be extremely effective from the middle of the pitch, especially with his superb passing ability.

During the 2019/2020 season for Barcelona, he averaged a pass success rate of 92% across his 21 La Liga matches while making 0.6 key passes per match. Arthur also underlined his attacking qualities by registering seven goal contributions and succeeding with 91% of his dribble attempts.

These statistics clearly show that when playing on a regular basis, he can be crucial in dictating play and controlling possession for his team.

Indeed, over the previous year, the 26-year-old is among the finest passers of the ball compared to positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, ranking in the top 10% for pass completion percentage, passes completed, total passing distance, and ball recoveries.

Arteta could utilise someone of Arthur’s talents, keeping hold of the ball well and allowing other players slightly more freedom in the midfield area.

Former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen described him as “incredible” during his time at Barcelona and if Arteta could lure him to London and manage to get him back playing to that sort of form, it could well be a shrewd investment.

The Tielemans saga continues to roll on and if Arsenal can’t get a deal over the line for the Belgian, Arthur would be a worthy alternative, despite his injury-plagued campaign this year.