Fantasy Arsenal: Which player would you add from Brighton?

Arsenal are back in action in less than a week. It’ll be surreal to see the Gunners once again after this break and in front of an empty stadium, but a happy sight. It was a close vote last time between two defensive minded players for West Ham, but we are continuing to build a functioning team at this point. Two attackers, two defensive midfielders, and a centerback.

Fantasy Arsenal Series: Bournemouth | Norwich City | Aston Villa | Watford | West Ham

In part six, we look at Brighton & Hove Albion who sit in 15th place as the league restarts on 29 points and just six wins so far this season. In the midst of their third season in the Premier League, the Seagulls will be in a tough relegation battle for the rest of the campaign. So who might be an interesting prospect for Arsenal to acquire from Brighton?

Lewis Dunk

Position: Centerback

Projected Value: $18 million

Argument For: He’s been with Brighton since the academy and helped them earn, and maintain, their position in the Premier League. At 28, he is likely near the peak of his ability, but wouldn’t be out of place in the 8-man centerback depth chart Arsenal have accumulated at the moment. Dunk has over 100 Premier League appearances, and is averaging a goal+assist every 10 matches - not bad for a CB. This season he already has two goals and three assists for Brighton, leads the team in passes completed and blocks. Given the current financial market Arsenal may not be able to spend $18m on what would be a second choice CB, but if Brighton are relegated the club may be able to get him closer to $10-12m.

Pascal Groß

Position: Center Midfielder

Projected Value: $10 million

Argument For: A name most Premier League fans will be familiar with, Groß was one of the key figures in Brighton’s debut season - scoring seven times that year. But he continues to be a pivotal player for Brighton, scoring twice this season and leading the team with four assists. And despite seeing his time diminish a bit this year, leads the club in key passes that lead to shooting opportunities. A player that has proven effective in the Premier League, who is still just 28, for around $10m might be an interesting addition for Arsenal, if say Mesut Ozil were to exit this summer and the club didn’t want to reinvest heavily at the position just yet.

Neal Maupay

Position: Forward

Projected Value: $19 million

Argument For: Brighton’s only real goal threat this season, Maupay netted eight times, with the next highest player for Albion at just three goals. After two successful seasons for Brentford in the Championship, 41 goals from 95 games - he made the move to the Premier League for $24m last summer. Leading Brighton in shots and shots on target, doubling the next highest on the team, without Maupay the Seagulls would surely be in the relegation zone. If Aubameyang and Lacazette were both to leave this summer, would Maupay be an affordable option to add to Martinelli and Nketiah? Is he overvalued as they primary scorer or could he hit higher marks on a better squad?

Martin Montoya

Position: Right-back

Projected Value: $7 million

Argument For: With Ainsley Maitland-Niles looking to move back into the midfield, Arsenal need to decide if they are going to pursue Cedric Soares or find another affordable option as a backup to Hector Bellerin for next season. Coming up through the Barcelona system, he played around 140 matches between the B team and the senior squad before being sold to Valencia after a few loans. He leads Brighton in passes crosses completed into the penalty area and was second in progressive passes - exactly what Arsenal look for in their fullbacks. With the club likely focusing any serious investments this summer elsewhere on the pitch, a capable backup with experience is all that is required for next season.

Leandro Trossard

Position: Left Winger

Projected Value: $14 million

Argument For: As is typically the case we find ourselves with a left attacking winger in the five options. Meet Leandro Trossard who just joined Brighton and the Premier League before this season, having played in Belgium since the start of his career. There were even links with Arsenal last summer, but Trossard has settled nicely into life in England. Three goals and three assists so far, Leandro leads the team in actions that led to eventual goals. Considering what Arsenal had to pay to get Pepe last summer, and the fact that they already have two young forwards and a young left winger, adding a 25-year-old left winger to complement that set for under $15m might be a solid piece of business this summer.

No one jumps off the page as a must have, but we play the hand we were dealt. Or is there another Brighton player which you believe would be a better transfer target for the Gunners?