Arsenal has found a gem in a £27 million signing whose value now surpasses that of Moises Caicedo, marking a notable turnaround for the tenacious player who is finally receiving the recognition he deserves.
Just a month ago, the narrative surrounding Arsenal was far from positive.
The team, led by Mikel Arteta, experienced a downturn with three consecutive losses, leading to doubts about their prospects in championship discussions.
However, a remarkable shift has occurred with four consecutive victories, including a notable triumph over Liverpool and an away win against West Ham United, putting the Gunners back in contention for domestic success.
While the frontline has rediscovered its scoring form, another player in the first team deserves significant credit, if not more, as his value has now surpassed that of Premier League record-breaker Moises Caicedo in recent months.
This pivotal player has been a cornerstone of Arteta’s squad in recent years, contributing to one of the strongest defensive partnerships in the country alongside William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.
Originating from Florianopolis-based Avai Futebol Clube in 2016, the Brazilian defender moved to Ligue 1 club LOSC Lille in 2017.
After a brief stint with the second team, the 6-foot-3 defender went on loan to Troyes and Dinamo Zagreb between 2017 and 2018.
His breakthrough came in the 2018/19 season when he joined Les Dogues’ first squad, featuring in 14 Ligue 1 games.
The following season saw him make 24 appearances, contributing to Lille’s second-place finish in the league.
Former Lille president Gerard Lopez lauded the young center-back as a “real fighter” possessing “immense physical presence” in 2020.
Arsenal took notice of his impressive performances that same year, leading to a relatively straightforward negotiation that saw the player move to North London, with £27 million heading the other way.
This significant rise in value for the Brazilian defender highlights his journey from Avai Futebol Clube to Ligue 1, ultimately becoming a key figure for Arsenal under Arteta’s management.
As Arsenal experiences a positive shift in fortunes, this player’s contributions on the defensive front have been instrumental in their recent successes.
