To describe this summer as unprecedented for Arsenal would be an understatement.

The Gunners have spent big in windows past, but they have never spent as much as they have this year, nor have they made so many quality additions to the side.

Mikel Arteta has been handed a new starting striker, a new starting six, the sensational Eberechi Eze, a host of quality squad options and may now get his hands on Piero Hincapié.

Yet, with the window open until next week, the club look set to make even more additions and are being linked with someone who might have more potential than Hincapié.

Arsenal target ace alongsid Hincapié

Arsenal fans were still getting over the excitement of the Eze transfer this morning when news broke that the club were looking to hijack another of Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer targets.

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At least that is according to a recent report from Europe, who has claimed that Arsenal are interested in Jeremy Jacquet.

The Belgian journalist has revealed that, alongside other sides such as Real Madrid and Al-Hilal, the Gunners are targeting the highly-rated French defender.

It does not state how much the Stade Rennes gem could cost the North Londoners, but as his £10k-per-week contract is set to run for another four years, he’s unlikely to come cheap, with previous reports stating their asking price is as much as £43m.

However, with the way he is spoken about by those in the know, and the experience he already has, he may well be worth splashing the cash on, especially as he could have even more potential than Hincapie.

Jacquet's sky-high potential

So the first thing to say is that if Arsenal sign Hincapie this week, he would represent an excellent bit of business and seriously strengthen the backline.

However, with him set to turn 24 during the season, we can see the player he is today, and while he will improve, it’s unlikely he’s going to dramatically improve in the coming years.

On the other hand, Jacquet has only just turned 20, is already playing in a top-five league and has caught the eye of top teams like the Gunners and Real Madrid.

In other words, there is a sense that the Frenchman could be one of the next great defenders in world football, much like William Saliba was considered back in 2019.

It might sound like hyperbole, but we aren’t the only ones saying this.

Take respected analyst Ben Mattinson, for example, who has called the youngster a “Rolls Royce” of players and the “world football’s next highly coveted CB.”

More than that, he has claimed that he “has the tools to be a ‘Top 5 in The World’ CB” and that he plays “with a level of composure which makes actions seem so effortless.”

The data backs up a lot of these predictions as well.

According to FBref, despite being so young, the Rennes gem ranks in the top 1% of centre-backs in Europe’s top-five leagues for tackles plus interceptions, just interceptions and long pass completion, the top 6% for percentage of aerial duels won, the top 7% for tackles won and more, all per 90.

Pass Completion % (Long)

79.7%

Top 1%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.57

Top 1%

Interceptions

2.28

Top 1%

Tkl+Int

4.55

Top 1%

Dribblers Tackled

1.30

Top 5%

Dribbles Challenged

2.03

Top 5%

% of Aerials Won

71.4%

Top 6%

xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals

0.07

Top 7%

Tackles Won

1.46

Top 7%

Tackles

2.28

Top 8%

npxG + xAG

0.13

Top 9%

Successful Take-Ons

0.49

Top 9%

Assists

0.08

Top 10%

Carries into Penalty Area

0.08

Top 10%

These numbers paint the picture of a defender who’s nearly impossible to get past while also being brilliant with the ball at his feet.

For comparison’s sake, Hincapie ranks in the top 1% of just one metric for centre-backs in Europe’s top-five leagues: non-penalty expected goals plus assists.

In other words, while the Ecuadorian international is an exceptional defender, the data suggests his ceiling is not quite as high as the 20-year-old’s.

Ultimately, while he wouldn’t necessarily get lots of game time this season, Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign Jacquet before the window shuts.

He looks like he could be a future world-beater, and the last high-potential centre-back signed from Ligue 1 has done rather well for himself at the carpet.

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