Turkish Midfield Gem Orkun Kokcu Emerges as Potential Arsenal Upgrade
In their quest to bolster their squad for the upcoming season, Arsenal has set their sights on Feyenoord’s exceptional captain, Orkun Kokcu.
According to Portuguese outlet Record (via Sport Witness), both Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have expressed a keen interest in acquiring the services of this Turkish midfield maestro.
Kokcu, who has been instrumental in Feyenoord’s triumph over Ajax’s Eredivisie dominance, has attracted attention from several European powerhouses with his standout performances in the midfield.
Despite Benfica being deterred by his €40m (£35m) price tag, Arsenal remains firmly in the race alongside Liverpool and Sevilla.
With Granit Xhaka’s imminent departure from the club, the potential signing of Kokcu represents a shrewd move by Arsenal, bidding farewell to an aging star in favor of a young talent with a promising future.
But just how good is Orkun Kokcu? The Swiss international, Xhaka, has received widespread acclaim for his unexpected creativity this season.
And it is this same quality that can be easily attributed to Kokcu, who possesses an equal amount of attacking prowess and playmaking abilities.
In the league, Xhaka managed five goals and seven assists, narrowly missing out on the top spot. In contrast, Kokcu contributed an impressive tally of 12 goals and five assists across all competitions, culminating in his team’s title triumph.
Kokcu’s attacking prowess is complemented by his relentless work rate, as he consistently wins possession and averages 1.1 tackles per game.
His overall performances have earned him a commendable average rating of 7.47, showcasing his superiority in this division, as per Sofascore.
When comparing the statistics, it becomes evident that the departing 30-year-old Xhaka simply cannot match Kokcu’s impressive figures. Xhaka’s average rating of 7.01, derived from his 1.3 key passes per game, pales in comparison to Kokcu’s 2.7 key passes per game and an exceptional 85% pass accuracy.
To further highlight the disparity between them, while Arteta has praised Xhaka as a “really important player” for the Gunners, Mohamed Sissoko has lauded the 22-year-old Kokcu as “the best in his league.”
Drawing parallels to some of the greatest midfielders of this generation, Sissoko compared Kokcu’s style of play to that of Luka Modric, emphasizing his potential to reach similar heights.
Such high praise solidifies Kokcu’s status as a significant upgrade over Arsenal’s current midfield stalwart.
Despite Xhaka’s commendable efforts in resurrecting his career in North London after a contentious altercation with the fanbase years ago, his departure could quickly be forgotten if Edu swiftly secures the services of Kokcu, a highly capable replacement.
In their pursuit of a more formidable squad, Arsenal’s interest in the Turkish midfield gem is a clear indication of their determination to reclaim their position among the elite.
Kokcu’s arrival would undoubtedly inject fresh energy and skill into the Gunners’ midfield, providing Arteta with a potent weapon to propel the team forward in the upcoming season.
