Who is Sacha Boey? The youngster to ease Arsenal's right-back issues

 

Many will point to William Saliba's injury as the reason behind Arsenal's title collapse. The Frenchman hasn't featured since being forced off in the first half of the Gunners' Europa League defeat to Sporting CP owing to a back injury, and that meant Mikel Arteta's side were robbed of a calming presence at the heart of the defence, but perhaps just as crucially was the injury to Takehiro Tomiyasu in the same game.

 

Had Tomiyasu remained fit, then it's likely Ben White and not Rob Holding would have partnered Gabriel in defence for the final weeks of the season, thus allowing Arsenal to play a similar style at the back had Saliba avoided sustaining a knock back in March. This season has been a success for Arsenal, that goes without saying. Few would have given them a chance of securing the Premier League title, fewer still would have imagined they'd remained in the race until May, and yet they performed above expectations. 

 

Importantly now is that Arsenal strengthen in the right areas to remain competitive across a number of fronts next season. A return to the Champions League opens up a greater talent pool to tap into and with Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle and Chelsea to come back stronger next season, the right investment in the right areas is key. 

 

Central midfield is the priority area for Arsenal ahead of Granit Xhaka's summer exit, with Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo the top targets for the north London side, but another right-back is also important. The Gunners cannot rely upon Holding or the fitness of Tomiyasu to realistically compete in both domestic and continential competition, so links with a move for a full-back this summer shouldn't come as a surprise. 

 

Galatasaray's Sacha Boey has since emerged as a potential target for Arsenal in the summer as the club cast their net wide to find the right fit for the right-back position. After drifting in an out of the team in his first season following his arrival from Dijon, Boey has been a first team regular for the title chasing Lions this term and his performances have clearly caught the eye. 

 

A WhoScored rating of 7.29 is actually the fourth best in the Super Lig this season, with the 22-year-old's defensive awareness helping Galatasaray to the best defensive record in the division with just 26 goals conceded. Indeed, Boey has made the fifth most tackles (77) while 48 interceptions ranks sixth in the division. For a Galatasaray side that dominates the ball - only rivals Fenerbahce (60.2%) average more possession than the league leaders (57.1%) - this speaks of the youngster's willingness to rapidly win the ball back from opponents when the Turkish side are not in possession. 

 

By comparison, Arsenal have averaged a 60% possession return in England's top tier this term ahead of the final day of the season, so a player to dispossess opponents as quickly as possibly will allow for the Gunners to rapidly transition from defence to attack. This would benefit an Arsenal side that seeks to win possession in all areas of the pitch to catch opponents out, and with Boey willing to get forward without needing a second invitation, he'd suit this Gunners outfit that does seek to win the ball high the pitch. 

 

 

Ahead of Arsenal's welcome of Wolves on Sunday, only Manchester City (216) and Liverpool (212) have won possession in the attacking third more times than Arteta's side (211) in the Premier League this season, while Boey has done so a respectable 20 times, that the 17th best return in the Super Lig this term. As such, not only would Boey impress in defence, but would aid in setting Arsenal on the frontfoot. Four assists for a defender is a notable achievement, and Boey has done so from a modest average of 1.1 key passes per 90. 

 

In addition, when he does have the ball at his feet, Boey isn't one to shirk the chance to bombard upfield. A return of 1.1 dribbles per 90 would certainly suit an Arsenal side that has developed a statistically calculated WhoScored style of play of 'attacking down the right'. With the wingers - in this instance, Bukayo Saka - prepared to cut in field to open up space for the full-backs to overlap, Boey is one who'd thrive with the additional space presented to him in the final third to help stretch opponents. 

 

Given Galatasaray's financial issues, which have been eased following government intervention in 2021, Arsenal can in theory land themselves a bargain if they were to pursue Boey's services. Of course, the Turkish powerhouse would be reluctant to cash in on the former Dijon man, but when a team of Arsenal's calibre comes knocking, then it's difficult to turn down the chance to pursue new pastures. 

 

Boey's proven a revelation for Galatasaray this season and his performances suggest he is ready to make the next step up in his career. Given his skill set, he could prove a shrewd addition at the Emirates this summer.

Who is Sacha Boey? The youngster to ease Arsenal's right-back issues