24-year-old Brentford winger Kevin Shade has caught the eye of both Arsenal and Liverpool. The German footballer has netted three goals in his first five matches of the season, helping his team rise to fourth in the league. With interest from top clubs, Brentford has already started negotiations for a new long-term contract, despite Shade currently being tied to a deal until 2028.
The left-wing position in Mikel Arteta's 4-3-3 formation remains vacant following the departures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Shade's statistical profile underlines his high effectiveness:
- Scoring Ability: Last season in the Premier League, Shade ranked in the 90th percentile for goals per 90 minutes and expected goals (xG) excluding penalties, with his shot accuracy placed in the 91st percentile.
- Ball Progression: The player sits in the 86th percentile for touches in the opponent's box, 80th for successful dribbles and key passes, and 75th for progressive runs (1.90 per 90 minutes).
Tactical Profile and Integration into Arsenal
Shade is a right-footed left winger who plays as a traditional inverted forward. He receives the ball on the flank and drifts into the centre, boasting impressive physical directness and vertical speed. Notably, 41% of his shots last season were headers, which makes him a genuine threat at the far post.
At Brentford, Shade plays a crucial role in a system that utilises wide overloads, stretching the opposition's defence and making explosive runs behind defenders. This function aligns perfectly with Mikel Arteta’s requirements for a left winger at Arsenal: pressing opposing full-backs, making diagonal runs into the centre, and sharply opening up in half-spaces.
A key area for improvement is his dribbling efficiency (only in the 31st percentile for successful attempts with a high volume), which sees Shade lose possession more frequently in the final third compared to elite dribblers. The possession-focused style at Arsenal will necessitate some coaching to help him recognise when to hold the ball in tight triangles rather than forcing vertical runs.
