By Sumaiya Vawda
While Arsenal’s attentions are firmly on the game with Manchester United this weekend and the fanbase invests time into finding alternatives to Mykhailo Mudryk, murmurings have begun linking the club to right-back Ivan Fresneda for a fee under £18 million.
The 18-year old is a shining light at La Liga outfit Real Valladolid whom he joined in 2020. The idea of a young Spanish player stereotypically carries association with the tiki taka style of football. Fresneda, however, is hailed for his physicality (added bonus of being 6ft tall) and winning tackles. He ranks in the 98th percentile for interceptions and tackles per game which bodes well for a counter-pressing unit. He is comfortable inverting and has an eye for long passes and through balls. His aggression is notable and an attacking flair may shine in a different set-up or as his game matures.
The defender is most keenly being linked to Arsenal and Newcastle. Do Arsenal need a right-back? Certainly not at the moment given the adaptation of Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s recovery. Cedric Soares also remains on the books at Arsenal. Fresneda is a talent for the future who the club may choose to act on early. He is likely to serve as an understudy and feature more prominently in the next iteration of Arsenal’s side, but could also pave the way for a defensive exit.
Such a transfer may hint towards Tomiyasu serving more as cover for the centre-back roles. Ongoing rumours indicate Arsenal will be seeking cover for Gabriel in the summer with a free move for Evan Ndicka long touted.
The links to Fresneda should set off alarm bells for Brooke Norton-Cuffy - Arsenal’s own 19-year old right-back talent. Just last year he was named Arsenal’s scholar of the year and had a vastly successful loan at Lincoln City. This month he was recalled from his loan at Rotherham United and has joined Coventry City on loan for the remainder of the season. The switch seems to have been purely for improved development. His pace and dribbling ability make him a frightening prospect but there have been questions whether he is best suited to Arteta’s style.
Fresneda is an impressive young player but perhaps more striking is the Gunners willingness to maintain a pipeline of young talent instead of resting on their laurels.
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