Fresh Arsenal Digest #3 - Power Rankings update and 5 Mudryk alternatives
Arsenal Power Rankings following the 2-0 North London Derby win, and 5 alternatives to Mudryk as Arsenal look to add to the squad this month + a new podcast.
Thank you for reading the third issue of the Fresh Arsenal digest. It’s been another great weekend to be an Arsenal fan, now eight points clear at the top of the tree, who could have even dreamed of this scenario back in August?
This is still very new so we would appreciate you sharing this, and if you haven’t already subscribed, please do so below. Today we look at how the Power Rankings shifted following our 2-0 win at Spurs, a glance at five potential alternatives to Mudryk after he joined Chelsea at the weekend and more. We’d love to hear feedback on what you’d like to see in future issues, so please comment below with your thoughts.
Risers: It was a fantastic day for Aaron Ramsdale. The man of the match on the day and as good as Arsenal were, he made key interventions at important points to ensure Arsenal kept a 2-goal cushion throughout. His distribution was also elite. Zinchenko is back to full fitness and really showing his influence in this team, he’s into the top 10 for the first time. Martin Odegaard’s goal has seen him edge ahead of Saka to claim top spot, whilst Thomas Partey’s influential performance sees him move back into the top five.
Fallers: Gabriel Martinelli has dropped a couple of places after failing to score for a few games. His fall, like William Saliba and Gabriel’s are more due to the sensational performances of the players around them, rather than anything they have really done wrong.
Podcast
Have a listen to our latest podcast below. We discuss Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Spurs and the latest transfer developments. Subscribe to us on Apple or Spotify.
5 alternatives to Mudryk Arsenal could sign this month
Arsenal have missed out on both primary attacking targets this month with both Joao Felix and Mudryk joining Chelsea. But there are still options in the market for the Gunners to make much-needed additions this month. In this piece, we explore five potential alternatives.
1 - Leandro Trossard
The tricky thing about January is the lack of player availability. Teams do not want to sell mid-season. That is especially the case when it comes to forwards, but a fallout in Brighton has perhaps opened a door for Arsenal to explore.
Last week his agent revealed he has fallen out with new Brighton boss De Zebri and he wants to leave. This could raise alarm bells at Arsenal, the last thing they will want to do is rock the boat when the squad harmony is so good right now. But Trossard looks like he is available and probably at a reasonable price, he is believed to have between 6 and 18 months left on his deal and will not sign a new one.
He is valued at 30 million euros on transfermarkt and has scored 7 Premier League goals this season. Crucially he has proven himself to be able to play on the left, right and through the middle.
Trossard is unlikely to be a player that would come into the starting eleven for Arsenal, but his versatility and Premier League pedigree makes him an option that would help this season's title charge.
2 - Jesper Lindstrøm
A wildcard option, Jesper Lindstrom has been linked with Arsenal over the last 6 months. The versatile forward can play as an attacking midfielder or on either wing.
Lindstrom stands at 6ft tall so offers something slightly different to Arsenal's current options in those areas of the pitch too. He has become a regular for Denmark in 2022, with 9 caps now to his name. For both Brondby and now Frankfurt, he averages a goal every four games.
The Danish international has already publicly entertained a possible transfer to north London after confessing he was left flattered by their interest.
“It's a huge confidence boost. It is one of the biggest things as a footballer, so of course I am insanely happy,” Lindstrom is quoted telling Danish outlet Tipsbladet.
Arsenal content of the week
Oleksandr Zinchenko: Arsenal's playmaking warrior who makes them a different team [Telegraph] - referenced in the podcast, an article by Sam Dean on the difference Zinchenko makes for Arsenal.
Arsenal have made Declan Rice their no.1 summer target and are confident of signing him [Guardian] - With this news, if you haven’t already it’s worth watching our video from last week that looks at how Rice could slot into this Arsenal team.