Martin Zubimendi can bring Arsenal more than expected, Matheus Cunha could help Patrick Dorgu thrive for man utd - the radar

Welcome to The radara sky sports column where Nick Wright Uses a mix of data and meaning to shed light on needs to know stories from up and down in the Premier League. This week:

🔴 zubimendis arsenal — role examined
💨 cunha to help dorgu on man utd
🦅 Palace’s underrated striker
🔍 A player to see this weekend

Zubimendi’s role may surprise

Martin Zubimendi’s pre-season screens for Arsenal offered clues to why the club was willing to wait a year to sign him. 26-year-old, if 51 million Pound relocation from Real Sociedad was currently agreed last summer, has already made a positive impression.

Of course, the real tests still have to come to Old Trafford. But Mikel Arteta is already praising his “incredible” presence and speed and quality of his decision making. “It’s something very unusual to find in a midfielder,” he said Sky Sports.

This intelligence was next to those who also worked with him in Spain. “Like Xabi Alonso in the way he watches football,” says a former coach. “So good tactical,” says an old teammate. Early evidence suggests that Arteta is eager to exploit it in unexpected ways.

Zubimendi has arrived at No. 6. The club considers him an addition in world -class in the position. But it was striking how often he pushed forward during Arsenal’s game before the season, especially last Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Athletic Club.

Zubimendi produced the assistant of Viktor Gyokeres’ opening target with a pinpoint junction from the right corner of the penalty area. Later, he could be seen to create another chance for Kai Havertz with a rear wheel from inside the six-yard box.

Most often he operated further back and picked the ball up from Arsenal’s defenders, circulated possession and threading passing forward. However, his qualities can be effective in the last third. He also has a perfect facilitator in Declan Rice.

It was expected that the arrival of Zubimendi would free up rice in his left sitting no 8-role. As it turns out, however, it can be more of a mutual arrangement. Against the Athletic Club, the couple replaced positions. As Zubimendi went forward, Rice fell back.

It’s a tactical detail few expected, but it’s easy to see the logic. Why not utilize Zubimendi’s vision and passing ability in forward -looking areas, especially against deep defense? Who is better than rice with all his athletics to sweep up behind him in these moments?

Zubimendi will bring enormous value to the No. 6 role. Rice will continue to be effective as a # 8 also with his drive and growing target threat. But their complementary qualities and Zubimendi’s rare tactical intelligence can also offer unexpected opportunities.

Cunha to unlock dorgu?

Much of focus on Old Trafford on Sunday falls on Manchester United’s new recruits. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko have arrived at a total cost of £ 207.2 million.

The club hopes the trio will transform their attack.

It will be interesting to see how they can also affect the players who are already in place in the club. Patrick Dorgu, the left wing-back signed from Lecce in an agreement to a value of £ 30m in January, could be a huge benefit of the arrival of Cunha.

Dorgu only impressed in Patches last season as he struggled to develop much of an understanding of Alejandro Garnacho. Both players like to drive and run with the ball up the left flank. Dorgu was often crowded out of his favorite zones.

It helps to explain why Garnacho is now considered the use of Ruben Amorim and why the club has recruited a player with very different strengths to occupy his role. Cunha stands out on the inside, drops deep to combine with teammates and choose runners.

The differences can be seen in their respective heat card for last season. While Garnacho typically embraced the touch line in front of Dorgu on Manchester United’s left, Cunha operated centrally by wolves. His influence zone was significantly larger.

Manchester United will also noticed how Cunha’s positioning and playing style helped the wing behind him thrive at Wolves. Rayan Ait-Nouri, now from Manchester City, swung effectively with Cunha, and became an important outlets as a Marauding-left-sided wing-back.

Between them, Cunha and Ait-Nouri created about twice as many scoring chances for each other last season at Wolves as Dorgu and Garnacho managed at Manchester United.

The numbers suggest how Cunha can be combined with Dorgu in Manchester United. There were also encouraging characters in the before season, with Cunha, which produced eye-catching screens, and Dorgu one of their brightest artists in general, apparently revitalized.

Are Sarr Palace’s real key player?

While supporters of Manchester United, Arsenal and other Premier League clubs look forward to watching new songs in competitive actions for the first time this weekend, those in Crystal Palace are busy with the players they could still lose.

Speculation continues around Eberchi Eze and Marc Guehi. But at least Ismaila Sarr’s future looks safe. The 27-year-old, goal scorer of Palace’s second goal in their community shield victory over Liverpool last Sunday, continues to excel.

His goal in this game, clinically completed from a distinctive run in behind, helped him pick up where he left the last period. These are six goals and three assists in nine games for club and country as he scored twice in Palace’s FA Cup semi -final win over Aston Villa. He also buried his punishment in Sunday’s shootout at Wembley.

Sarr typifies Palace’s direct, counter -attack method under Oliver Glasner, and he is a creator as well as a goal scorer. His a total of 17 great chances created in the Premier League last season was only improved by Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka.

EZE created 11, for comparison, and Sarr also published overall underlying numbers. The all-round-attacking threat that Senegal International brought is emphasized by his average of 0.58 expected targets for non-penalties and expected assists combined per year. 90 minutes.

Only 11 players recorded a higher figure than that. It is a list that contains some of the Premier League’s most famous attackers. Maybe it’s time to put Sarr in the same bracket.

Player Radar: Who else should keep an eye on

A first chance to see new signings in the Premier League action is always a highlight of the opening weekend. West Ham’s Malick DioufScores at six goals for Slavia Prague from full back last season, has caught the eye of the before season.

Live Radar: What’s in the sky this weekend?

Don’t miss the opening match on Friday night football as masters Liverpool host Bournemouth. The coverage starts at. 18.30 on Sky Sports Premier League and Main eventWith Kick-off at. 20.

Saturday night football SEE Wolves face Manchester CityWith Kick-off at. 17.30, is it on to Super Sundaywith Chelsea vs. Crystal PalaceAt Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford and Manchester United vs. Arsenal All Sky Sports, With cover that starts at. 13 Sky Sports Premier League and Main event.

The first Monday night football of the season pits newly promoted Leeds against EvertonWith cover that starts at. 18.30 on Sky Sports Premier League and Main event In front of 7 p.m. 20.00.