In a recent report, Sky Sports claimed that Arsenal are eager to land Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza. It has been mentioned that the Gunners are showing interest in recruiting the Spanish talent next year.
Mendoza’s Impressive Form In Spanish Football
The 20-year-old is having a good campaign at the Spanish club as he has put in a handful of impressive performances at the heart of their midfield. Mendoza has found the back of the net twice and earned one assist in 15 appearances for Elche this season across various competitions.
The talented youngster has offered solid protection for his teammates at the back and deserves credit for making nine tackles, four blocks, three interceptions and one clearance in the Premier League. He has even been accurate when distributing possession from inside his half, as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 82.6% in the English top tier (stats via fbref.com).
His current contract at the Spanish club will run out in the summer of 2028, which could make it tough for the Gunners to sign him on the cheap next year.
Should Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta Get Mendoza On Board?
Mendoza is a good tackler of the ball and can time his challenges well to earn possession back for his team inside his half. He usually clears the danger when the opposition attackers are on the offensive.
The Spanish sensation can even contribute by scoring and creating the odd goal for his team going forward. He is primarily a box-to-box midfielder but can also fill in as an attacking midfielder if asked to do so by his manager.
We can expect Mendoza to bring more quality and depth to Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta’s midfield department. He has what it takes to compete for a regular first-team spot at the North London club in the coming years. However, there are some concerns over whether the Spanish talent can cope with the physical side and high intensity of the Premier League.
At 20, the future looks quite bright for Mendoza as long as he continues to improve with each season. Therefore, the Gunners would be wise to try everything they can to lure him to the Emirates Stadium this January or next summer.
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