With Arsenal’s right-back search not having a clear name, I look at one of the players linked with Arsenal by the Spanish Media. Real Betis’ (and Barcelona’s) Emerson Royal. The link makes sense as he is one of the few right-backs on the market that have strong experience at the top level, and he is a player that has played frequently in the 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 at Real Betis, which means that he’s ready for any system change that Mikel Arteta will look to implement.
What type of team does he play for?
Real Betis are a side that predominantly attacks on the right-hand side, & they rely on winning set-pieces as a form of chance creation (due to their poor attacking threat out wide & teams overload central players when facing them.) It benefits Emerson as his focus goes into defending instead of attacking, which accentuates his strengths.
As Emerson is Real Betis’ deepest fullback, and at times their 3rd CB, he defends a lot more than most defenders in his division explaining why he ranks in the higher percentiles for tackles won, aerial duels won & interceptions won. He records a solid amount of SCA (1.9 SCAp90) and averages around 1 key pass per 90, but his defensive traits are what make him somewhat suitable for Arsenal.
Positioning
In Real Betis’ back 4, Emerson is positioned deeper than the RB, with the RCM situated deeper than the LCM. This makes him the defensive fullback (He does the lion’s share of defending for Betis,) and he holds his line very well.
What makes him such a good defender is his communication with the RCB, RCM & the Betis DM. He’s not shy to alter his body positioning to get the best view of the game (Bellerin’s hip problems mean that he’s limited in the amount of space his body can quickly turn, resulting in poor communication with those around him.)
When defending, Emerson squeezes in with the CB & CM in his box to stop the opposing CF from finding space in behind to exploit, as he is strong in the air, he can slide in as a third center-back to head away balls that come in.
Arsenal can use him as a wide defender to counter quick wingers as he can cover a lot of ground over short distances. But when they are under pressure, against a team that likes to play narrow (a 4-2-2-2 team for example,) they can get Emerson to cut in deeper & get the job done centrally.
Passing
What’s clear from Emerson’s pass map is that he can create passing links with players close to the halfway line & close to the opposition’s box without entering the final third as much as Hector Bellerin does for Arsenal.
His pass selection needs work, he offers some level of security when he passes but there are too many situations where he passes backward for no reason. Arsenal needs to let him sit deeper when attacking (on the underlap) as that’s where he performs best. Providing a passing option for Saka/ESR/The CF & being able to play a killer pass once/twice a game.
Emerson’s pass decision-making isn’t great, as he takes the safest option instead of getting him into the game by dribbling forwards before getting a pass in. He isn’t too good at passing as well which is down to confidence rather than his technique. His movement needs to improve as his athleticism would allow him to get into where the box is if he played the ball back to the winger.
Emerson is good at getting balls into the box, even if he under hits them slightly (It’s still unclear whether It’s strategic or if he can’t generate enough power on his own,) which leads to Betis scoring a late winner. He picks up the run of the Betis CF Iglesias and gets the ball right to him to head it in.
Arsenal needs a reliable right-footed set-piece taker from the right-hand side, as their current ones (Willian, Luiz, etc) are either leaving or not good enough to take free kicks from there. Emerson not being a reliable creative outlet in the final third is worrying to me, but It isn’t an issue if Arsenal plays in a way that gets him to attack less.
Emerson’s deliveries into the box need improvement, he carries the ball too far down his side before swinging the ball in which gives him a level of unpredictability (which you get from Pépé/Martinelli on the left when they do it) but as his execution is lacking, it doesn’t work well generally. If he can improve his power, accuracy & timing of his late crosses, then It will become his strength.
Tackling
Emerson is good at anticipating where the ball will go & positioning himself in places to tackle/intercept the ball when there is the opportunity to do so.
When he does get it wrong, he needs a player covering for him as he tends to switch off when he loses a duel. If he is always ready to get the ball back after losing it, then he becomes a much better defender.
Emerson puts his body on the line when defending, which isn’t common for a fullback. Arsenal fans are aware of this as Hector Bellerin & Cedric Soares are both notorious for shying away from challenges & not putting their body on the line when the opportunity is there for them to do so.
It further supports my belief that he can be a 3rd central defender at times for Arsenal as he has everything a fullback needs defensively, and minor changes can make him an even better player.
Heading
Unsurprisingly, Emerson is a great aerial threat and he can give Arsenal’s right-hand side the strength that it needs. Emerson has won 61.8% of all contested Aerial Duels in the last 3 seasons, and he wins 1.82 aerial duels per 90.
Emerson wins most of his aerial duels because he’s able to tower over much shorter wingers, and he does so without giving them a chance to complain about the amount of force he uses, or whether he touches them or not. Arsenal needs someone physically imposing like he is as it’s the difference between the opposition getting a chance on goal against Arsenal or for Arsenal to get a chance on goal against the opposition.
When Emerson tucks into central defence, he stops most players from getting the better of him. His accuracy when heading the ball means that he gets the ball away from goal, and he gets the ball to a teammate of his, rather than it getting to the opposition forward who can get a shot on goal.
Where would he fit in at Arsenal?
If Arsenal signs Emerson, I expect him to play the hybrid FB-IFB role that Hector Bellerin currently plays where he’ll be situated as an RCM when Arsenal are trying to gain control during a game, and for him to underlap the RW, presumably Bukayo Saka to offer an extra passing option for Arsenal to try to attack from.
Last Thoughts:
Emerson Royal is a good player, that’s something that cannot be denied. He can do everything a fullback is required to do & he can play 30+ league games a season which is what Arsenal need from the first-choice fullback on an availability front. If Arsenal approach squad building with Emerson’s attacking deficiencies in mind, then he’ll be a success at Arsenal.
Villarreal have been quoted a price of ~£18-20m to sign Emerson in the last few days, and It’s a deal that Arsenal should look at with great interest, but with great caution as he isn’t a complete fullback yet (hasn’t shown the consistency to be one.) After all, Arsenal doesn’t need another RB that’s only good at attacking or defending.