This summer, Edu Gaspar plans to bring Brazilian left-back Ayrton Lucas to Arsenal in order to provide Mikel Arteta with the resources he needs to build on their successful 2022–2023 campaign.
What has changed regarding Ayrton Lucas and Arsenal?
In order to bolster their first team roster, Arsenal is reportedly interested in signing Flamengo defender Lucas this summer. Juventus may, however, present a stiff rivalry.
Kieran Tierney has been strongly linked with a move to Newcastle United, so Arteta will need to find an Oleksandr Zinchenko replacement. Lucas is the right fit.
The Brazilian won’t set the Spaniard back a lot of money either because, according to the report, his release clause is only worth €30 million (£26 million).
Could Kieran Tierney at Arsenal be replaced by Ayrton Lucas?
The legendary Roberto Carlos, the former Real Madrid defender with thighs like tree trunks, is often compared to Brazilian left backs, despite the fact that Lucas, according to journalist Andrew Sousa, has “embodied” Carlos. Could Arteta be a reincarnation of the 127-cap hero?
He averages 1.7 dribbles per game and 1.1 shots per game for Flamengo this season in the Brazilian top division, suggesting he enjoys getting forward as much as possible, much like Carlos, who scored three goals and provided three assists in his prime.
Prior to a season in which Arsenal will play in the Champions League group stages for the first time since 2016/2017, the 25-year-old may not just replace Tierney in the squad but also be an improvement over the Scot.
In fact, over roughly the same number of starts in 2022–2023 (8.8 to 8.1 90s), Lucas has recorded more shots per 90 (1.23 to 0.79), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.09 to 1.36), successful take ons (15 to 3), carries into the final third (19 to 12), and touches in the attacking penalty area (18 to 15).
Football: Brasileiro Championship, October 25, 2022, Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Flamengo vs. Santos Angelo Gabriel of Santos, Ayrton Lucas and Pablo of Flamengo, and Sergeo Moraes for Reuters
Given his propensity to push into the final third and generate a lot of shooting opportunities, which increases his chances of scoring, the Brazilian may be a better attacking option than Tierney.
For the aforementioned price of just £26 million, Arteta would be acquiring a seasoned defender who has won the Copa Libertadores, the biggest competition in South America, as well as silverware from his time at Spartak Moscow, winning the Russian Cup just last year. He could very well be another piece of the jigsaw for Arsenal going into the following season.
