The Creative Conundrum… Simons or Eze?

In what has already been a busy summer transfer window for Arsenal, the Gunners' recruitment team are showing no signs of slowing down in their pursuit of Andrea Berta's wishlist. A window that has already seen the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard and Noni Madueke put pen to paper marks an unfamiliar sight for Arsenal fans — we're used to the club operating far more sluggishly when it comes to transfer business.

But could even more firepower be added?

The club's ongoing pursuits of Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres and Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze suggest the answer is yes. Our interest in Eze has been widely reported in the English media, and the impression is that the club is prepared to pounce if Crystal Palace show any willingness to negotiate below the 27-year-old's reported £60 million release clause.

While Arsenal appear to be playing the waiting game with Eze, reports of growing interest in another similarly profiled player have emerged in recent days — that player being Xavi Simons.

Both Eze and Simons share similar qualities in that they can operate both on the left wing and centrally as attacking midfielders. This points to the club targeting a slightly different profile to Gabriel Martinelli. Xavi, at 22, has more years ahead to develop under Mikel Arteta, while Eze offers a proven, Premier League-tested option with a strong track record over the past five seasons — making him the more "ready-made" of the two.

Importantly, both players would bring a much-needed creative spark — something Arsenal have lacked at times against deep defensive blocks. Eze and Simons averaged 2.06 and 1.32 successful dribbles per 90 minutes respectively last season, compared to Martinelli's 1.09, indicating both would improve our efficiency in transition — a problem the club already looks to be addressing with the arrival of Noni Madueke.

Whether Arsenal become more aggressive in their pursuit of either player may depend on the financial implications of the Gyökeres deal. But one thing is clear: the club is actively trying to address its lack of creativity in attacking areas.
 

Our Verdict:

Eberechi Eze would be the smarter signing. His Premier League consistency, combined with his experience and adaptability, gives him the edge over Simons. With this young Arsenal team now looking to take the final step, ready-made contributors are essential — and Eze is more likely to hit the ground running than the still-developing Simons.