Mykola Matviyenko is a 23-year-old Ukranian centre back. He’s currently playing his trade for Shakhtar Donestk in the Ukranian Premier League. He’s predominantly left-footed. Exactly the kind of defender Arsenal are looking for.
Talking about his playing style he’s regarded as someone who’s never shy of making a challenge. He’s aggressive and direct. And with his 6-foot 3-inch structure, he can really dominate his opponent. He has won 78% of his Arial duels in the Champions League.
To give you a perspective, Virgil Van Dijk has won only 73% of his aerial duels in the Champions League. While he makes 4 tackles and interceptions per match in the CL. Again an impressive number. He’s decent at passing too with a success rate of 90% in the CL.
While also laying 0.3 key passes per match, which matches Van Dijk’s numbers. Though he still seems a little heavy-footed with his movement as he’s dribbled past more than once in every match. Comparing it with the Liverpool defender, he’s dribbled past only once in 5 matches.
His 4.8 long balls per match isn’t a bad statistics either, though it is eclipsed by Van Dijk’s 11.2 long balls per match.
If we specifically discuss the match between Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk, Matviyenko was given the highest rating amongst all defender by WhoScored. He made a combined 8 tackles and interceptions. He also made 7 clearance and wasn’t dribbled past once.
His passing game was also upto the mark as he made 44 passes with 80% success rate which also included a key pass. He even played out the whole match without conceding a foul.
Market Value: €5 million
Expected Fee: €8-12million
Chances to join: He’s come out of nowhere, but I can easily see this materialise. I think he will be an Arsenal player soon.
Expected to join: Surely in January.
Arsenal have been reported to be looking for cheaper options to solve their defensive shortcomings. And Matviyenko provides them with exactly that. A young talent defender who is very cheap. Sounds perfect for the Gunners.
