Ruben Neves has been linked with a move to Arsenal ahead of the opening of the January transfer window. The Portuguese international was perhaps one of the more surprising movers in the summer window to Saudi Arabia considering being just 26 years old and certainly still in his prime years.
Less than six months later he is already being linked with a move back to the Premier League. His side Al Hilal currently sit top of the Saudi Pro League and Neves has been involved in 12 of the 13 matches so far.
He has yet to score or assist in the games but has plenty of other big names around him in the form of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Malcom, Yassine Bounou and Kalidou Koulibaly. There had been suggestions that Suadi-owned Newcastle United might try to sign him in the winter window but a vote to block clubs from signing players owned by the same consortium as the interested party is set to take place this month.
If successful, this would of course allow a side like Arsenal a better chance of completing a deal. However, having left the top tier of English football to play in a burgeoning league, is he still worth it?
The short answer is yes. Ruben Neves was one of the most impressive and consistent central midfielders in the Premier League all the way up until his exit this summer. He earned the captain’s armband at a young age at Wolves having already held it at a younger age for Porto becoming the youngest ever captain in the Champions League at 18 years and 221 days.
Losing Granit Xhaka in the summer has been felt by the Gunners despite the arrival of Declan Rice. Neves would certainly restore some of the gritty leadership that was lost by the Swiss international’s switch back to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.
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With Thomas Partey out and with little reassurance that the latest procedure will end a persistent string of absences, Neves would be a defensive-minded addition to the midfield with the scope to score from range. Unlike Xhaka though Neves is more of a defensive midfielder than his former Premier League counterpart.
In 1,759 minutes played in the last year, FBRef ranks Neves in the 83rd percentile for interceptions, 96th for blocks and 98th for clearances. He’s a progressive passer and as mentioned is not afraid to get into shooting positions and perhaps would bring some balance to an Arsenal midfield that is very much an inconsistent trio due to injuries and the addition of Kai Havertz.
The German has not had a settled position or start to life at Arsenal. Neves would surely, in the absence of Partey at least, partner Rice in the midfield and allow Havertz to focus on occupying more offensive roles in the group.
The best ability is often availability and Neves missed just five games through injury for club and country during his six years with Wolves. He adds quality, depth and variety to Mikel Arteta’s team and would make plenty of sense to see in an Arsenal shirt in the new year.
