Why Liverpool’s Signing of Federico Chiesa Could Be a Genius Transfer Move

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• Why Liverpool’s Signing of Federico Chiesa Could Be a Genius Transfer Move

• Arteta Must Bench Martinelli for Arsenal's 'Little Magician' Trossard

Why Liverpool’s Signing of Federico Chiesa Could Be a Genius Transfer Move

Liverpool have completed the signing of Juventus winger Federico Chiesa for €13 million, a move that could add depth and dynamism to Arne Slot’s squad. Chiesa is the first new player to feature under Liverpool's new manager, marking a significant addition to the team.

Versatility and Attacking Threat: Chiesa, a key figure in Italy's Euro 2020-winning team, offers versatility across the front three, primarily excelling on the wings but also capable of playing as a second striker or even a wing-back. His ability to play multiple positions will provide valuable cover for Liverpool's attacking options like Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, Darwin Núñez, and Luis Díaz.

A critical asset for Chiesa is his dribbling ability. His 4.5 take-ons per 90 minutes over the past two seasons places him among the top dribblers in Europe, only trailing Luis Díaz within Liverpool’s current squad. This ability to beat defenders one-on-one will help Liverpool break down low-block defenses, a challenge they often face.

Creative Output: Chiesa is not just a dribbler; he also delivers results from his direct runs. In the last two years, he led Juventus in chance creation following take-ons and ball carries, despite occasionally playing in deeper roles like wing-back. His creativity is impressive, having created 2.2 chances and averaged 0.23 expected assists per 90 minutes in Serie A last season. These numbers make him one of Liverpool’s more creative attackers, second only to Salah.

Work Rate and Pressing: Liverpool’s pressing game, even as they transition from Jürgen Klopp’s high-octane style to a more controlled approach under Slot, remains a fundamental part of their identity. Chiesa fits well in this system, boasting an intense work rate that saw him complete 36.7 high-intensity pressures per 90 minutes last season. This willingness to press and cover large areas of the pitch aligns with the demands Slot places on his players.

A Smart Investment: Though Chiesa isn’t an out-and-out goal-scorer, with his highest tally at 14 goals in 2020-21, his combination of creativity, dribbling, and work rate makes him a valuable squad player at Liverpool. At 26, and acquired for around €13 million due to Juventus' decision to let him go, Chiesa represents a low-risk, high-reward addition who could bring pedigree and quality to Liverpool’s attack.

In summary, Liverpool’s signing of Chiesa stems from his versatility, creativity, and ability to complement their existing forward line, making him a shrewd addition at the right price.

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Arteta Must Bench Martinelli for Arsenal's 'Little Magician' Trossard

Leandro Trossard is Arsenal’s silent hero. After coming off the bench yet again, this time against Aston Villa, and scoring within two minutes, the Belgian has made it crystal clear: he deserves more than being labeled as just a "super-sub."

The 29-year-old delivered a game-changing moment against Villa, calmly slotting home Bukayo Saka's cut-back to put Arsenal ahead. His trademark celebration was missing, though — not because he didn't care, but because it was obvious: Trossard is tired of being an afterthought in Mikel Arteta's starting XI.

Despite Arsenal struggling for much of the game, Trossard’s timely intervention helped turn things around. His frustration, however, stemmed from being overlooked in favor of Gabriel Martinelli, who once again struggled to make an impact.

The Misfiring Martinelli Dilemma: Gabriel Martinelli has long been seen as one of Arsenal's brightest young talents. With his electrifying pace and attacking flair, he can be a constant threat to defenses — but those days seem far behind him now. His form has dipped dramatically since the tail-end of last season, where he went 10 games without a goal or assist.

Against Villa, Martinelli only touched the ball 27 times, didn't register a single shot, and was dispossessed 11 times. These aren’t numbers that scream starter, especially when Trossard continues to produce when called upon.

Arteta’s Reluctance to Change: Arteta praised Trossard’s impact after the Villa game but stopped short of guaranteeing the Belgian more starts. "I have two great left-wingers," he said. "It’s always a challenge to choose between them, but you know you are going to get quality for specific games."

The stats, however, tell a different story. Trossard, despite fewer starts, finished last season as Arsenal’s second-top scorer behind Bukayo Saka. Meanwhile, Martinelli hasn't scored in the Premier League since March. With such a contrast in form, many fans and pundits are wondering why Trossard isn’t getting more starts.

The Case for Trossard: Trossard has done everything asked of him since joining from Brighton. His versatility, work rate, and knack for crucial goals make him invaluable. He doesn’t just influence games; he changes them, often when Arsenal needs it most.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has even weighed in, saying, "We’re talking about someone who is arguably our best finisher. He affects games every time he’s on the pitch. What more does Trossard have to do to start?"

It’s a valid question.

The Road Ahead: As Arsenal prepares to face Brighton this weekend, Arteta has a tough decision to make. Does he continue to back the out-of-form Martinelli, hoping he’ll rediscover his spark? Or does he reward Trossard, who has more than earned a starting spot with his consistent performances?

The debate will rage on, but one thing is clear: Leandro Trossard is ready for the spotlight. And with Arsenal pushing for success on multiple fronts, Arteta may have to make the tough call and give his "little magician" the chance to shine from the start.

It’s not just about credit anymore. It’s about time.

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