Arsenal fans thought they were finally about to have the transfer window they’d been waiting for when they signed Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, and eagerly awaited the numerous other signings they needed to make a spine capable of challenging for the title past February.
Needless to say, with Arsene Wenger as their manager, the fans are still waiting for this spine to materialise and despite having a string of talent in the midfield department, they are known to be ever so slightly injury prone.
The highly-rated Morgan Schneiderlin had been linked time and time again with the club, but after being beaten to the Frenchman by Manchester United, Arsenal need to look elsewhere.
Undeniably the loss of Schneiderlin is a blow for Arsenal, but they can set their eyes elsewhere with the amount of talent on offer and wanting to come to the Premier League – but Wenger will need to move fast.
With that in mind, here are five midfielders we think he should be looking at – when he takes a break from calling Karim Benzema to finalise that move from Real Madrid that is.
Paul Pogba
It’s hard to believe Sir Alex pied off Pogba all those years ago, he’s certainly one that slipped through the net given he’s one of the hottest prospects in Europe.
Slightly ambitious considering Arsenal’s failures in Europe and the Premier League in recent years, but with the signing of Petr Cech, maybe, just maybe, Arsenal can finally push the boat out and bring in someone to add to that potentially destructive midfield.
Pogba is one of the finest young talents out there, and maybe missing out on fellow Frenchman Schneiderlin could be a blessing in disguise if they can prize the ex-United man away from the Italian champions. It’d certainly come at a huge cost though and probably give the majority of their fans the heart attack each transfer window has been threatening to do for a while now.
Blaise Matuidi
Another Frenchman, but Wenger loves those almost as much as his wingers.
Matuidi is powerful, commanding, and in essence, every single thing the club have been crying out for since the departure of Patrick Vieira, and with reports of a mass summer spending spree at PSG (shocker I know), a clearout could be on the cards, and the players who were previously deemed untouchable could become expendable.
Giroud, get on that dog and bone and tempt your international teammate over the Channel.
Claudio Marchisio
He’s been linked with the Gunners before, and seems to have thrown a bit of a Sterling-like tantrum after reports that he’s not earning as much as new signing Sami Khedira.
So, the contract talks have stalled, and Arsenal should be looking to benefit from this.
He would be a top signing for Wenger’s men as he played a pivotal role in Juventus’ trophy winning campaign last season, meaning he can one, stay fit for a whole season and two, win league titles, both of which are a foreign concept to some of the Arsenal players.
Ilkay Gundogan
Manchester United were hot favourites to sign the Dortmund man, but since their two big name signings in the centre of the park, this move is looking unlikely – mainly because his name doesn’t begin with a ‘Sch’. Step forward Arsenal.
The German midfielder could be a very good signing, and would certainly fit into Arsenal’s style of play.
Despite signing a one-year deal recently, he, along with most of the BVB players wants a new challenge.
That new challenge could well be in north London, trying to push Arsenal beyond that consistent fourth placed finish.
Kevin Strootman
Again, hotly linked with Manchester United at the end of last season – because what Dutch player who had so much as smiled at Louis van Gaal wasn’t – and Arsenal may as well pick up the pieces with this one.
Half the time he claims to want to stay with Roma, the rest of the time his eyes are being batted at a Premier League move and the proverbial new challenge.
The boat would most definitely have to be pushed out with this one, as Roma reportedly slapped a £70 million price tag on the midfielder, but considering his injury issues (which should make him fit right in at Arsenal), it could be negotiated down slightly.
