Why is Rangers defender Fernandez in demand?

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The only Rangers player included in PFA Scotland's Premiership team of the season, Emmanuel Fernandez has now attracted reported interest from Arsenal.

Signed from Peterborough last summer in a heavily criticised and expensive transfer window, the 24-year-old took him to find his feet and started just one of Rangers' first 11 league matches.

Five months on, the centre-back's status has risen dramatically, and he is now regarded as one of the division's top defenders, with reports suggesting top European clubs are keeping tabs on the new Nigeria international.

So what do the numbers say about Fernandez's debut season in Scotland?

Rangers have kept clean sheets in nine of the 22 matches the defender has played in. They have also conceded 19 goals - 0.86 per game - across those fixtures.

Given he has started just 20 of Rangers' 33 Premiership games this term, Fernandez's defensive numbers stand out most when analysed on a per-90-minute basis.

Among defenders to have played at least 1,000 Premiership minutes this campaign, he ranks third for winning possession and fourth for headed clearances.

He also sits sixth for possession won in the midfield area, highlighting his ability to play in a high defensive line.

Fernandez is also on the verge of the top 10 for successful passes and ranks highly for aerial duels, having won an impressive 72% of his battles in the air.

He has excelled in the attacking side of his game too, proving to be a serious threat from Rangers' set-plays.

Despite not featuring in 11 of Rangers' league games this season, no Premiership centre-back has scored more goals than Fernandez's tally of five.

It will be that all-round package of defensive solidity and attacking output that is attracting interest from elsewhere.