Arsenal target Michael Olise: similarities to Palmer.

Arsenal are thriving in both the Premier League and the Champions League, but Mikel Arteta still wants to push the creative limits of his attack. With Chelsea welcoming back Cole Palmer, the name strongly linked to Arsenal is Michael Olise – a player whose attacking style and performance are considered similar.

Why does Olise look so much like Palmer?

In the 2023/24 Premier League season, Olise and Palmer's performance metrics showed a significant similarity. From expected goals + assists (excluding penalties) to key passes, passes into the penalty area, open play passes, shot-creating actions, and goal-creating actions – the two players were almost parallel in terms of output. This shows that Olise not only possesses skill but also maintains a consistent and systematic attacking performance.

Their similarities extend beyond mere numbers. Both are "entertainment players"—effective yet artistic. They dribble confidently, possess high-level ball control, and often create unexpected moments. Their calm yet confident demeanor allows them to master one-on-one situations and read space well—qualities that Arteta's system values.

Proven performance

Olise is not only captivating in his style. He has been directly involved in 62 goals in just 74 games for Bayern Munich. For a 23-year-old, this is a remarkable trajectory of development, reflecting his ability to maintain the tempo of attack and make decisions in the final third of the pitch.

Suitable for Arsenal's needs.

This season, Arsenal still need more creative attacking options, especially when the squad may face periods of personnel shortages due to injuries. A versatile player who can operate on the wing as well as in the center, create chances himself, and finish well would give Arteta more flexibility in his approach to the game.

In that context, Olise is a versatile option that fits many tactical slots. He can share the workload with Saka on the right wing, while also relieving Odegaard of the creative role of orchestrating attacks at various levels. With his ability to create chances from open play and penetrate the 14-16.5-meter area, Olise opens up additional attacking structures: from stretching horizontally with one-on-one situations, to overlapping runs and quick changes of direction, or attacking in the half-space with passes into the penalty box.

Tactical perspective: a piece of the puzzle for Arteta.

One of Olise's greatest values ​​is his unpredictability. Once opponents become accustomed to Arsenal's attacking patterns, a player capable of creating "irregularity" within that framework – like Olise – will make a difference. The similarity in his data profile to Palmer suggests that Olise possesses both consistent output (npxG+A, SCA, GCA) and maintains quality in his defensive unlocking actions (key passes, passes into the box).

This allows Arteta to switch roles along the central axis: Olise can temporarily drop deep to draw pressure, creating space for teammates to make runs; or stand higher to threaten full-backs with dribbles, thereby connecting with early crosses or back passes to the edge of the penalty area – a type of play Arsenal often exploit.

Obstacles at the negotiating table

The biggest challenge doesn't lie on the pitch. Bayern Munich have little reason to let go of a player considered a "precious gem." However, if Arsenal continue to accumulate trophies and maintain their sporting appeal, their voice at the negotiating table will be stronger. When Arteta's tactical framework requires more creativity, Olise is a suitable target: effective, fits the system, and has room for development.

Potential impact

Arsenal are strong, but to become an unpredictable and consistent team throughout the season, they need more players capable of changing the course of the game. With similar performance data and technical profile to Palmer, Michael Olise has emerged as a viable option for Arteta's ambitions to upgrade his attack.