One thing I'll say about Arsenal's business this season is that where was this when I was a student? I actually can't keep up with the transfer news these days. While I'm loving Berta's strategy, it's so hard to keep churning out up-to-date analysis when we're linked to 100 players a day. That said, the new hot topic is Xavi Simons, the original Instagram wonderkid who felt like a flash in the pan but has seemed to make smart decisions in terms of clubs and slowly clawed his way back into elite conversations with strong performances in Germany and the Netherlands.
As a fanbase, we all felt that Eze was imminent after a few sales, but now Simons seems to be on the agenda. Let's look at the numbers to see who comes out on top.
Xavi Simons: The Statistical Monster
Looking at his performance data versus other top-five league central midfielders, Simons is at the top of his class:
Looking at his performance data versus other top-five league central midfielders, Simons is absolutely cooking across virtually every attacking metric. He ranks in the 99th percentile for non-penalty goals and the 98th percentile for combined expected goals and assists, showcasing elite finishing ability alongside exceptional chance creation. His progressive play is equally impressive, sitting in the 99th percentile for both progressive carries and passes into the penalty area, while ranking 97th percentile for shot-creating actions and 96th percentile for carries into dangerous areas.
Simons presents a profile with volatile attacking patterns that hint at a different type of threat. His goal-scoring comes in distinct explosive bursts rather than steady accumulation, creating the kind of match-winning moments that can shift seasons. His assist numbers follow a similarly erratic pattern, clustering in specific periods, while his ability to maintain consistent output against all opposition levels suggests a player who thrives regardless of tactical context or opponent quality.
Eze: The Complete Package
Meanwhile, Eze's numbers paint the picture of a more well-rounded player:
Meanwhile, Eze's numbers paint the picture of a more well-rounded player who excels in areas Simons doesn't. His attacking output remains solid, ranking in the 77th percentile for combined expected goals and assists, 80th percentile for assists, and 82nd percentile for shot-creating actions.
Where Eze truly distinguishes himself is in defensive contribution, sitting in the 95th percentile for passes blocked and 89th percentile for ball recoveries, demonstrating genuine two-way impact that makes him valuable in and out of possession.
Eze's performance patterns throughout the season reveal a player who has grown into his role with remarkable consistency. His goal output shows steady accumulation rather than explosive bursts, suggesting reliable productivity, while a notable late-season surge in assists from around six to eight demonstrates his increasing creative influence as Crystal Palace's attacking focal point. Against bigger opposition, his numbers naturally dip across shot-creating actions and progressive play, though this is more a function of Palace's pragmatic tactical setup designed to avoid being overwhelmed by superior teams rather than any individual failing.
The Head-to-Head
Simons dominates the attacking output charts, but Eze offers something Simons doesn't: genuine two-way impact. Eze's defensive numbers (95th percentile for passes blocked) show he's contributing significantly without the ball.
The progressive passing and carrying numbers favor Simons, but Eze's more balanced profile might actually be more valuable in certain tactical setups.
Why I Still Prefer Eze
Despite Simons' eye-popping attacking numbers, Eze gets the nod for me. His versatility, Premier League experience, and defensive work rate create a more complete player profile that feels more immediate impact. Plus, those Crystal Palace underlying numbers suggest there's significant untapped potential waiting to be unlocked in a better system.
That said, Simons does have age on his side and genuinely looks like he could develop into something incredible. I'm going to whisper this quietly, but I think he's actually the better player out of him and Florian Wirtz, so I wouldn't be upset if we did get him. But Eze feels right for where we are - he feels like a win-now signing, and I need to see more of Simons operating on the wing in the tape before fully buying into his versatility.
Thanks for reading,
Steve