Three Players Arsenal Should Focus On To Partner Granit Xhaka
Arsenal, having missed out a top four Premier League finish for the first time in two decades, are also sweating on Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil’s contract situation as the star duo, whose contract runs out next summer, have not yet signed a new deal with the club. Arsene Wenger, the Gunners boss, has signed a new two-year deal amidst fan outrage with a vow to make up for lost ground.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been unlucky with playmaker Santi Cazorla as he remains sidelined due to a long-term injury. Wenger is now monitoring a few names in order to find a stable midfield partner of Granit Xhaka. The 24-year old Swiss international, who completed a move from Borussia Monchengladbach last summer, was highly criticised for his indiscipline and inconsistency. The £35m signing improved lately but lacked a steady midfield partner throughout the campaign. Egyptian Mohamed Elneny failed to earn the gaffer’s trust, whereas, Frenchman Francis Coquelin had a disappointing campaign in a deeper midfield role.
Wenger, thus, is trying to add a deep-lying midfielder who can control the game from the middle of the park and we have scouted three such resources who would be shrewd buys for the North London heavyweights.
Player: Jorginho
Age: 25
Country: Italy
The Brazil born 25-year old Azzurri international is hailed for his versatility as he is capable of playing as a box-to-box midfielder and also in a deep-lying playmaking role. He loves to hold possession, screen his back-line, build the game from a deep midfield role and has high work ethics, admirable range of passing, strong intercepting skill and dribbling skills, along with ability to win the ball back by breaking down possession. Arsenal have not made a bid for the highly-talented midfielder. His agent, however, has kept the options open and Jorginho might move if the right offer comes along.
Player: Kevin Strootman
Age: 27
Country: Netherlands
The 27-year old Dutchman missed a lot of football in recent past due to significant injury blows but returned strongly last summer and won back a regular place in AS Roma’s midfield. Strootman appeared 45 times across all competitions for the Serie A runners-up and once again impressed with his strong display in the middle of the park. He is known for his hard tackles, physical presence as well as great vision and is capable of playing in central midfield and also as a deep-lying playmaker. Arsenal must explore the opportunity to bring him to the Emirates in order to build the toughest midfield in the league.
Player: William Carvalho
Age: 25
Country: Portugal
Carvalho is one of the most underrated midfielders of Europe who has been a key figure in Portuguese midfield for the past three years and was an unsung hero in their incredible UEFA Euro 2016 triumph. The Gunners are long-term admires of his talent who is hailed for his calmness, tireless runs from a deeper midfield role, imposing aerial presence, strong passing and dribbling skills and winning back possession under extreme pressure. He is an all-round midfield option who should be acquired by the Gunners irrespective of Sporting’s high asking fee.