Arsenal are eyeing Shakhtar Donetsk attacker Mykhaylo Mudryk as their sixth g of the ongoing summer transfer window. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta remains convinced that he needs an attack-minded central midfielder added to his squad.

Lucas Paqueta had been Arteta’s priority target but Arsenal have no intention of meeting Olympique Lyon’s £55 million asking price. Shakhtar Donetsk have made Mudryk available for £17m and the Gunners are now weighing up the possibility of making an offer.

Player Profile

Mykhaylo Mudryk has made 28 appearances for Shakhtar, scoring twice and assisting ten times (stats via transfermarkt). The midfielder is a skilled player that can play in multiple positions in the frontline but mostly prefers the left wing. He is an ideal system player for an attacking style of football.

Shakhtar had known early in his youth days that Mudryk was full of potential and as such, he was promoted to the senior team in 2018. The 2021–22 season was the best of his senior career, where he scored two goals and provided nine assists in 19 matches (stats via transfermarkt).

Last season, he averaged 4.8 progressive es per match, one of the highest in his team. He also attempted more than ten dribbles per 90 minutes and had a success rate of over 50 per cent. As a result, you would often find him getting on the byline with the ball. And due to his adept crossing, he offers a double threat as defenders are unsure whether he will cross the ball or bring the ball inside by dribbling.

His movement off the ball is also very intelligent. He is good at spotting empty space and peeling away from opposition defenders in the blink of an eye to make himself available for his teammates.

His understanding of the game allows him to anticipate where he needs to be for his side. This sees him move away from his base left-wing position and drift into more central areas when his side is building into the opposition area.

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Verdict

Mikel Arteta has revolutionized the Gunners since taking over, and has filled the team with youngsters, reducing the average age of the side. Mudryk fits that young and exciting profile.

Arsenal have Nicolas Pepe not up to the mark. As for Mudryk, he showed last year that he is ready for the big stage. While Mudryk might not be at Paqueta’s level yet, he is much cheaper and could prove to be a shrewd g.

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