Strengths
Like current Gunners stalwart Per Mertesacker, Amorebieta is strong in the air. He is 6’4″, meaning that on paper he has the height to deal with the threat of any Stoke City player on a wet and windy Wednesday at the Britannia Stadium, but he is more mobile than the Germany international.
Amorebieta is a great anticipator of play, and impressively makes 3.2 interceptions per match, according to football statistics website WhoScored.com. He is also a keen tackler, and his versatility is also important. Comfortable in both a back four and a three, Amorebieta is a reasonable alternative at left back for when Arsenal go through their traditional mid-season injury crisis.
His impressive distribution from the back enables him to take part in the quick passing and pressing game Athletic Bilbao play under Marcelo Bielsa, which brought them to the UEFA Europa League final last season. In particular, his ability to hit a long ball quickly and accurately has earned comparisons to Liverpool’s Daniel Agger, and one such example takes place in the video below that indicates he might combine well with Olivier Giroud when the Frenchman is selected up front.
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