3) Lars Bender – Bayer Leverkusen (Daily Mail)
In recent weeks, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini have shown they lack the combination of technical ability and endless work-rate to dominate the midfield against the top teams. Bender is excellent on the ball, but is equally as ferocious in the tackle. Expect to see him in the World Cup for Germany this summer, but potentially in the Premier League next term for the Gunners as well.