From a highly-rated wonderkid at Palermo to a fan favourite at Juventus, it’s fair to say that Paulo Dybala is excelling under Massimiliano Allegri’s guidance.

Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for the forward before he eventually signed for Juventus. At that time, he said, “Whenever people speak well of me, I’m filled with pride.

“I will not deny that going to Arsenal and playing in the Premier League would be amazing. However, I am aware that my reality right now is Palermo.” Quite why Arsenal didn’t follow through will probably always be left to speculation.

So what did Arsenal miss out on getting?

The 23-year-old forward can play in a variety of positions across the frontline. As Juve’s driving force, his partnership with compatriot Gonzalo Higuaín this term has been deadly. Somewhere in another universe, the duo are pulling on the red and white of Arsenal instead.

Strengths

A tricky player to shift off the ball, Dybala is tireless both in and out of possession. His admirable workrate mean defenders are constantly on edge wherever he’s around, and he anticipates potential situations seconds before others realise the potential danger.

High levels of agility and composure allow him to drive forward with the ball to an extent where he effortlessly dribbles with pace for sustained periods.

His solo runs against Torino and Cagliari this term are just two prime examples of this. Being unafraid to shoot, whether that be inside the box or outside the area, he is troublesome for defenders in a variety of ways.

Dybala’s technique and spatial awareness mean he’s able to find positions in space regularly to create goal-scoring opportunities: either for himself or for players like Higuaín, who have been feeding off his high energy, deft service and scoring for fun.

Attacking statistics in Serie A this term (source: Squawka):

• 39 chances created, 34 key passes
• 71.2% successful take-ons
• 86% pass completion rate, 40 fouls suffered
• 8 goals, 7 assists

Weaknesses

Given his small frame, his main weakness which needs improving is his ability to battle in aerial duels. He’s only won 16.7% of his challenges in the air this term, which is underwhelming to say the least.

Despite his ability to dribble quickly, his tricky style also  means that he draws fouls regularly, increasing the likelihood of him sustaining injury.

Looking forward

With all of his strengths taken into account, it’s unsurprising that many have compared him to Lionel Messi. Widely regarded as the world’s best, Dybala has recently been tipped to join Messi at the Nou Camp.

He’s still only 23 and continues to develop in an ever-improving Juventus side.

Whether he sees his long-term future with the Bianconeri remains to be seen, but watching his progression will be intriguing.