Arda Guler, Mbappe +9 more
The Arda Guler–Kylian Mbappe connection has been one of the most encouraging signs of the early Xabi Alonso era. It’s hard not to feel a sense of deja vu, with the aesthetic similarities to the Ozil–Ronaldo partnership. The resemblance is almost eerie, and this duo looks just as capable of blowing past goals and assists metrics as their predecessors.
Against Kairat, Arda was on another level. His technical superiority stood out from the first minute. The opposition couldn’t
get near him. He constantly found space between the lines, turned out of pressure with ease, and always picked the right pass with the perfect weight. Mbappe couldn’t get enough of it. “There’s a good connection [with Arda Guler]. He’s a young lad with great quality, a huge talent. We try to help him give his best for the team,” Mbappé said post-match.
At this point, Arda should be a locked-in starter. The closer he plays to Mbappe and the closer he gets to goal, the better. His left foot is special. His final ball and finishing ability are key assets. The numbers back it up: Arda is averaging a goal or assist every other game, ranks first in key passes across Europe’s top five leagues, and sits in the top 10 in La Liga for through balls, shot-creating actions, and passes into the penalty area.
Despite experimenting with him in a deeper role during the Club World Cup, Alonso has now pushed him higher up the pitch to maximize his offensive attributes. As the coach explained: “He’s been playing as an attacking midfielder to make the most of his quality. He’s been playing in a central position behind the striker to link up with Mbappe. He scores goals and has the quality to deliver the final pass.”
The question Alonso now needs to figure out, is how the rest of the midfield and attack shapes up around Mbappe and Guler.
