Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Ajax attacker Mohammed Kudus, but face competition from London rivals Chelsea for his signature.
The Gunners will be desperate to go one better this season and have bolstered their chances of winning silverware by signing Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice. But Mikel Arteta is not done yet and would want more new faces to arrive at the Emirates Stadium before the 2023/24 campaign commences.
According to The Express, Arsenal have their eyes firmly fixed on Mohammed Kudus, who would apparently prefer a move to the Gunners this summer rather than Chelsea. Sven Mislintat, who worked for Arsenal from December 2017 until February 2019, is currently the technical director of Ajax and he could play a big role in facilitating the Ghana international’s move to the Emirates Stadium.
Kudus, 22, joined Ajax from Nordsjaelland in 2020 and has helped the Dutch club win two Eredivisie titles. He was undoubtedly Ajax’s best performer last season, scoring 18 goals and registering seven assists in 42 appearances across all competitions, including four strikes in the Champions League.
After spending three years at Ajax, the Ghanaian attacker is keen to leave the club this summer having rejected a one-year extension back in April. He is valued at around £40m. If Arsenal show concrete interest in signing Kudus, here’s how he will be accommodated in Arteta’s side.
Mohammed Kudus to Arsenal—How will he fit in at the club?
Mohammed Kudus has experience playing in a variety of positions and capacities at Ajax, which is hugely beneficial for Mikel Arteta, who understandably values players who can adapt to his style of play.
As the 22-year-old attacker has shown in the past for both club and country, his versatility makes him an attractive option. At Arsenal, Kudus could easily slot into a dynamic midfield trio alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. That would certainly be a tantalising prospect for the Gunners, especially if they can have Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus lining up in front of them and functioning smoothly.
The Ghana international has also played in the No.10 role just behind the main striker at Ajax, which may lead to him providing the ammunition for the likes of Saka, Jesus and Martinelli. Last season, Mohammed Kudus thrived majorly as a false 9 as he linked up well with his teammates, created chances, bagged assists and scored plenty of goals. So, if Arteta plans to have a more fluid system, Kudus could essay the role of a centre-forward ahead of Jesus flanked by Martinelli and Saka, with Rice, Odegaard and Havertz occupying the spots in midfield.
If Kudus were to take on this role, he’d likely perform far better than Jesus. The Ajax star likes to operate in the half-spaces and is a master of the half-turn, unlike the Arsenal striker. His burst of pace and dribbling skills would also be advantageous on either flank.
Furthermore, Kudus would add to the valuable depth of the Arsenal squad that will be competing in the Champions League in the upcoming season. He would also be a good option to rotate with Odegaard, who despite his remarkable levels of fitness, would need rest at some point in the season if Arteta wants to see his skipper perform consistently without getting injured.
Thus, for a young, experienced, extremely talented and versatile player like Mohammed Kudus who would improve Arteta’s chances of mounting a serious title challenge, Arsenal must not hesitate to splash £40m to bag his signature this summer.