DANI CEBALLOS’ influence in the FA Cup final has been highlighted in a touch map with the Spanish midfielder involved in the game across the pitch.
The 23-year-old – who has spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Arsenal from Real Madrid – starred for the Gunners in their 2-1 triumph against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was named as the man of the match, but it was Ceballos that pulled the strings for the North Londoners in the middle of the pitch.
His touch map shows just how much he was involved in the game, as he touched the ball an impressive 72 times.
He attempted 53 passes, completing 45 – the most of any Arsenal player – with 22 of those successful passes coming in the opposition’s half.
In addition to this, he won 53.3 per cent of his duels – making three tackles during the game as well as recovering possession on four occasions.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy hailed the ex-Real Betis ace in his column for the Daily Mail.
He said: “I understand why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was named man of the match at Wembley on Saturday but watching the game live in the stadium, my choice would have been Dani Ceballos.
“Watching Ceballos in the flesh really crystallised how important he is. His courage on the ball in tight situations allows Arsenal to play out from the back as Arteta wants. It is no longer Granit Xhaka on his own.
“What I like about the Spaniard is he is progressive with his passing. He always looks forward first.
“He is the one who plays those penetrative passes short and long. Aubameyang and his team-mates further forward are the beneficiaries.
“And though he is not the athletic player, the defensive aspect of his game is sound. He put himself in the firing line in terms of tackling Chelsea when I regarded him more of a No 10, a luxury player if you like, when he arrived.”
Ceballos has been an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s side since the restart of football in June, featuring in all ten Premier League games – starting in eight of those.
In total for the club, he has appeared in 37 games in all competitions, chipping in with two goals and two assists.
Arsenal are desperate to keep hold of the player for another year, but they face competition from former club Betis in the race to secure his services.
