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Arsenal want to sign a left winger this summer. They have been credited with an interest in Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers.
talkSPORT now claim Arsenal are ready to step up their interest in Rogers. Manager Mikel Arteta is ‘leading the drive’ to sign the England international.
It is believed that the Gunners have held preliminary talks with his representatives.
Arsenal face competition from Chelsea and Manchester United for Rogers’ signature. He is also on Paris Saint-Germain’s radar following reports that he is open to playing abroad.
Villa are open to selling Rogers, with the Midlands side hoping to recoup at least £100 million from his sale.
Arsenal should not sign Rogers
Rogers enjoyed a brilliant campaign, helping Villa qualify for the UEFA Champions League and win the Europa League.
Hailed as ‘fantastic‘ by manager Unai Emery, Rogers tallied 26 goal involvements across all competitions. He was also named the Europa League Player of the Season.
Rogers is primarily an attacking midfielder, but can also be deployed on the left flank. He chipped in with nine goal involvements in 17 games while playing as a left-sided forward this season.
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However, Rogers should not be Arsenal’s primary target for the left-winger position. He is not an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
While playing as a left-sided attacker in the Premier League this season, Rogers ranked in the 49th percentile for progressive carries — higher than Martinelli (38th percentile), but below Trossard (53rd percentile).
Rogers (47th) ranked below both Trossard (70th) and Martinelli (50th) for completed dribbles.
The Arsenal pair also outperformed him for non-penalty goal involvements, assists, key passes and crosses completed. However, he was on par with Trossard for non-penalty goals and superior to Martinelli.
Arteta’s side should sign a natural left-winger rather than Rogers. They should prioritise a move for PSG’s Bradley Barcola, who has also been linked with the club.
