Scouting For Wenger – Three Replacements For Ageing Arteta (Arsenal)

Arsenal have been fragile in defensive midfield as they lack the dynamism that a natural, aggressive defensive midfielder offers. Captain Mikel Arteta plays the role of the holding midfielder, ideally partnering Ramsey. Arteta is not a natural defensive midfielder, but he is rather the deep seated player who keeps the passes rolling. While he does a good job in holding possession, he isn’t quite as good when the team loses possession, because he lacks the energy, speed, strength as well as defensive techniques to stop top teams’ attacking midfielders. Arsenal require top players who can do Arteta’s current job of passing continuously and keeping possession, but also someone who can ably defend against counter attacks and match the top teams as well. Here are three players who fit the bill.

1. Morgan Schneiderlin – Southampton

Schneiderlin was heavily rumored to be seeking a transfer away from Southampton in the summer, but the club held on to him in rather unceremonious conditions and it paid off as he is the part of a high flying Saints team that sits second in the table. But, we know Southampton are not genuine title contenders as the chances are there that soon the bigger teams would start getting their form and adapt to their fixtures, exactly like last season.

Schneiderlin is a great short passer, strong physically and has good mobility, while he is also well adept at tackling and intercepting. He is an overall package and a good defensive midfielder. He has been decisive in the big games as well and has always been an important part of the Saints squad. He also made it into the French team for the World Cup.

He has all the qualities that Wenger sees in a defensive midfielder. He is not solely the destroyer as he can involve himself in great passing moves while he definitely has the destroyer element to match his offensive attributes. Plus, he has the added benefit of being French, which would help him connect better with Arsene Wenger.

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2. Victor Wanyama – Southampton

If not Schneiderlin, why not Wanyama? He is widely perceived as a proper defensive midfielder but he has recently proven us his technical prowess. He is physically strong, is quick and a nasty ball winner. He brings mobility and aggression in the midfield. He is a decent reader of the game but a great physical Premier League player.

He is a bit lower on the combination plays that Schneiderlin is capable of, but he is definitely the one who can stop the likes of Matic and Toure from running riot as he matches them physically. Physicality is something that Arsenal lack, and he would be a certain improvement. He would also add work rate, as he is capable of working box to box.

He was grabbed from Celtic last season, where he showed great promise. He bossed the game against Barcelona in a Champions League match where Celtic upset the Catalan giants. He has certainly played at the top level, proved himself in the Premier League, maybe not as composed a passer as Schneiderlin or Arteta, but a certain defensive midfielder who can cover up Arsenal in the center.

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3. Paul Pogba – Juventus

Ok Wenger, splash the cash! Paul Pogba is the perfect central midfielder who would fit in Arsene Wenger’s rigid philosophy. Pogba has technique as well as physicality. He is French and would connect extremely well with Wenger. Secondly he is not simply defense minded, he offers aggression and mobility in deep midfield while he isn’t shy to involve himself in passing moves and attacks.

He works very hard as well. He is deceptively quick as he covers vast areas of space easily and there won’t be a case of “not tracking back”. He is young and ideal, the perfect pivot midfielder for the Premier League and a certain fit in Arsenal.

The only problem here is that he is courted by many other top clubs like Chelsea and Man Utd. Arsene Wenger will have to spend in the region of £60 million pounds to price him away and would have to be on top of his negotiating skills. We know from past examples on how Arsenal have missed out on some great players because of delaying or lack of proper negotiating. Pogba can be targeted and Wenger should give a real try, because not only will he give Arsenal a major chance for the title, he would also get the best out of Ramsey, Wilshere and maybe Ozil!