Across the long, hot summer of 2022, one transfer rumour in particular has persisted in regards to Arsenal Football Club. Week after week we hear murmurings and whispers about a late deal being struck with Leicester City for Belgian international Youri Tielemans. A talented player, the question to tackle is why Arsenal are so attracted to him.
To begin, let’s consider what role he would slip into. In the last year, Arsenal have been lining up in something closer to a 4-3-3 with two interiors either side of Thomas Partey, as opposed to the double pivot that was present in the team for many a year. Currently, the right sided role is occupied by club captain Martin Odegaard, so we can consider this is a lock. It is on the other side that Tielemans seems better suited.
Right now, Granit Xhaka is playing on the left side of central midfield. All in all, I would say he has done a good job. He is a wonderful ball winner, is very positionally aware, and is better than many suggest in the final third. The issue is though, that this is still not his forte. Whilst good on the ball, he has his limitations. Two spring to mind.
One is in transitions. Xhaka can sometimes take a while to get the ball out from under his feet. As happened a couple of times against Crystal Palace, this can stifle the threat of a promising counter-attack. To be effective in transitions, you need to be able to receive and play the ball quickly, Xhaka can sometimes take a second too long.
The other, is the lack of aggression in his passing. On these very transitions, Xhaka struggles to see or attempt through passes. Gabriel Jesus has already shown his ability to time a run in behind, and Arsenal should be looking to make the most of this.
Youri Tielemans has the skillset to fit this role perfectly.
On the ball, he is a smooth operator. His passing range is impressive, as his range of pass types. He can recycle the ball in small areas, he can chip the ball out wide, and most importantly he can fizz a ball into the final third. This would make the most of the chances that Arsenal are currently struggling to make the most of.
As well as being better suited to the passing responsibilities of Arsenal’s left midfield role, he brings his own attributes to stamp his mark on the role. Tielemans is a sensational striker of the ball. He brings an increased goal threat, and unlike Odegaard and Xhaka is a right footer. He has the tools to bring balance and threat.
An infamous if slightly unfair clip on Twitter regularly appears of him struggling to keep up with a counter. The name Tieletubbies has been thrown around, jokes fly about his fitness. I have seen many people air their concerns already about a lack of athleticism in the midfield if he were to join it.
One, I think it would be remiss to judge someone off one specific clip. Tielemans boasts relatively impressive numbers for distance covered, and in the many times I’ve watched him I’d never say it has jumped out that he has a glaring fitness issue.
Furthermore, it might be a point that highlights a shift in approach for Arsenal. It might be a move that is symptomatic of a move back towards a midfield full of technicians. After years of being called a soft touch, Arsenal made an overcorrection in their team to be seen as strong and robust. As a result, they somewhat lost their ability to suffocate teams at the Emirates.
Youri Tielemans is the kind of player you can imagine absolutely wiping the floor with the opposition midfield for 90 minutes at the Emirates. To me, he is a classic Arsenal midfielder. If Arsenal do indeed sign him, I expect him to elevate the midfield immediately.
