Arsenal's hopes of pulling off one of the biggest transfers in world football appear to have ended after Vinicius Júnior rejected interest from the Gunners and is now reportedly close to signing a new long-term contract with Real Madrid. While the Brazilian superstar looks set to remain at the Santiago Bernabéu, fresh transfer reports suggest Arsenal have turned their attention to Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye as a potential alternative.
At first glance, the comparison may seem surprising. Vinicius is among the elite attackers in world football, while Ndiaye has spent the last season helping Everton fight in the Premier League. However, Arsenal's recruitment under Mikel Arteta has often focused on players with high developmental ceilings rather than established superstars. So, would Ndiaye actually be a good fit for the Gunners?
Why Arsenal Could Be Interested
Ndiaye is a versatile attacker capable of playing on either wing, as a second striker or in a central attacking role. His biggest strengths are his close control, balance, quick feet and ability to carry the ball through tight spaces.
One of Arsenal's biggest issues in certain matches last season was breaking down deep defensive blocks. Ndiaye's willingness to take on defenders one-on-one could offer Arteta another unpredictable option in the final third, particularly against teams that defend with numbers behind the ball.
He is also an energetic presser, something that aligns perfectly with Arteta's tactical demands. Arsenal's system relies heavily on forwards pressing aggressively, recovering possession high up the pitch and contributing defensively without the ball. Ndiaye has consistently shown that work ethic throughout his career.
His Premier League numbers deserve context.
While Ndiaye's statistics may not immediately jump off the page compared to Europe's elite attackers, context is important.
The Senegal international registered nine goal contributions in the Premier League despite playing for an Everton side that largely adopted a defensive approach for much of the campaign. Creating chances and producing attacking numbers is naturally more difficult in a team that spends long periods without possession.
Moving into Arsenal's possession-dominant system would likely see him receive far more touches in dangerous areas and more opportunities to attack isolated defenders.
That doesn't automatically guarantee a dramatic increase in output, but it certainly raises his ceiling compared to what he has been able to produce in a struggling Everton attack.
How He Could Fit Under Mikel Arteta
Arteta values tactical intelligence as much as technical ability, and Ndiaye possesses several traits that could make him an interesting squad option.
His positional flexibility would allow him to rotate across multiple attacking positions depending on injuries, fixtures or tactical plans. He could provide cover on the left wing, operate behind the striker or even play as a false nine in certain matches.
His dribbling ability would also give Arsenal something slightly different from their existing attacking options. When games become predictable, having a player capable of eliminating defenders through individual quality can completely change the rhythm of a match.
There would, however, be areas requiring improvement.
Decision-making in the final third, consistency over an entire Premier League season and end product would all need to reach another level if he were to become a regular starter for a title-challenging side like Arsenal.
Arteta has shown little patience for players who neglect defensive responsibilities or tactical discipline, so Ndiaye would also need to adapt quickly to Arsenal's structured style of play.
Is He the Ideal Signing?
If Arsenal are searching for an immediate world-class replacement for Vinicius Júnior, then the answer is clearly no.
However, if they are looking for a versatile attacker with Premier League experience, excellent technical ability and significant room for development, Ndiaye becomes a far more understandable target.
At 26, he is entering what should be the prime years of his career and could thrive alongside higher-quality teammates who dominate possession and consistently create chances.
Final Verdict
There is simply no comparison between Vinicius Júnior and Iliman Ndiaye at this stage of their careers. Vinicius is one of the very best players in world football and among the most devastating left wingers on the planet, whereas Ndiaye is not yet considered among the Premier League's elite attackers.
That said, Arsenal supporters have witnessed Mikel Arteta transform talented players into world-class performers before. Declan Rice has reached new heights under the Spaniard, Martin Ødegaard has developed into one of Europe's finest midfielders, and Kai Havertz has rediscovered his best football in North London.
If Arsenal do complete a move for Ndiaye, nobody should expect a Vinicius-level superstar on day one. But Arteta's track record suggests that players with the right mentality, technical quality and tactical intelligence can improve dramatically under his guidance. Should Ndiaye arrive at the Emirates, it would be another fascinating project, and it would be unwise to completely rule out the possibility of Arteta working his magic once again.
