Imagine him & Saka: Arteta could form a “dangerous” duo in Arsenal swoop for £66m ace – opinion...

Arsenal have been monitoring Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby for two years as Mikel Arteta looks to launch a summer move.

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who wrote in his Caught Offside column that the Gunners have ‘appreciated’ Diaby for a while, claiming that it’s been nearly ‘two years’ of following the Frenchman.

He also states that Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain have also been tracking the winger, meaning Arteta could face some stiff competition during the summer transfer window.

German journalist Patrick Berger stated in January that Diaby’s price tag is likely to be around €75m (£66m) if he is to be lured away from the Bundesliga.

Moussa Diaby is a winger who mainly operates on the left flank and likes to dribble, while also showing a keen eye for goal. WhoScored have stated his key strengths are finishing and making key passes and he has certainly backed that up this season.

In the Bundesliga this term, the 23-year-old has scored eight goals in 23 matches, registering four assists while also making 1.8 key passes per game, proving that he is an excellent attacking threat so it’s no wonder he has previously been dubbed ”dangerous” by Freiburg striker Nils Petersen.

He ranks second in the whole division for big chances created (12), while his overall Sofascore rating of 7.17/10 places him as the 21st-best performer in the league, further underlining his quality.

Arteta has two excellent wingers in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli already, but Diaby could take the club to the next level while forming a solid duo with the young Englishman.

Saka has been in devastating form on the right wing this season so far, registering 20 goal contributions – 11 goals and nine assists – across 36 matches in all competitions and he has become one of Arteta’s finest players.

If Diaby did make the move to London, the Spaniard could form a scary partnership on his wings with the two youngsters. They both know where the back of the net is, while they aren’t shy in creating plenty of chances for others. Between them this term, they have combined to deliver 189 crosses, 111 shots and 251 touches in the attacking penalty area.