2. Lars Bender
24-year old Lars Bender is a technically sound and confident young defensive midfielder. Arsenal have long been linked to him as they are still looking for the mighty Vieira’s replacement. Bender can be the perfect choice for Arsenal under current circumstances as they look to build a bullish squad in the summer.
Arsenal’s style of play has always been free flowing and attractive to watch. The blend of Spanish football and English directness, Arsenal have always demonstrated that their philosophy is their strength as they have got the best out of young players and have qualified for the Champions League successfully during the whole of Arsene Wenger’s reign. Thus, Wenger’s philosophy forbids him from buying a midfield destroyer, who will probably make Arsenal champions, but ruin their philosophy of pure football.
Bender is the closest we can get to have a great passer and a tackler combined with a midfield engine. The German international is rated at £19.5 million pounds and Arsenal may have to pay extra considering the importance of this player to his club. Other clubs are also after him and Wenger will have to be shrewd enough to get his target and give him a good pre-season.