Which of these main midfield targets should Arsenal go for?
Arsenal seem set on targeting a top class central midfield player this January if recent speculation is anything to go by, with a whole host of big names emerging as candidates to move to the Emirates Stadium this winter.
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Below are nine of the players who seem to be Arsene Wenger’s preferred targets in the middle of the park, with some looking more convincing than others to come in and provide upgrades on the likes of Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Jack Wilshere.
Most of these players rate fairly well, however, and it could be argued they’d all be improvements for this team. Read on to see how we ranked the midfielders Arsenal should try to bring in, from worst to best…
9) Asier Illarramendi (Real Madrid)
Out-of-favour Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi has been linked as an option for Arsenal in midfield, though he is perhaps the least suitable target mentioned so far. Although the Spaniard is good on the ball, he is not an out and out defensive midfield player, and has not been at quite his best form since he made the move to the Bernabeu from Real Sociedad last summer.
8) Cheick Tiote (Newcastle United)
After claiming Arsenal approached him in the past, Newcastle United midield hard-man Cheick Tiote has also hinted he would be interested in a move to the Gunners in the future. Although the Ivory Coast star has been a top performer in his time at St James’ Park, he is known to be a bit of a hot-head and may not be polished enough for this Arsenal team’s needs at the moment.
7) Grzegorz Krychowiak (Sevilla)
Linked with a £24m move to Arsenal this January, Sevilla’s Polish midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak has been in highly impressive form in La Liga this season, though he is arguably still less proven at the very top level, having spent most of his career so far in France’s Ligue 1.
6) Joao Moutinho (AS Monaco)
Supposedly a £30m target for Arsenal to come in as a like-for-like replacement for Mikel Arteta, there’s no doubt AS Monaco’s Portuguese playmaker Joao Moutinho is a quality performer from that deep-lying midfield role. Still, he is again perhaps too attack-focused, and might not offer the physical presence Arsene Wenger’s side need.
5) Yohan Cabaye (Paris Saint-Germain)
A player who shone in the Premier League with Newcastle, Yohan Cabaye could be a top signing for Arsenal. This fine box-to-box player is a big uprgade on Arteta and might not be too expensive after struggling for games at Paris Saint-Germain.
4) William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon)
Another player seemingly high on Arsenal’s list of priorities is Sporting Lisbon youngster William Carvalho. The 22-year-old looks a top talent, though it is always hard to know how a player will adapt when he moves to a more competitive league.
3) Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen)
A proven player for Bayer Leverkusen and Germany, Lars Bender could make an ideal signing for Arsenal right now, offering all the defensive qualities and intelligence that Arsene Wenger would want from a key midfielder.
2) Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
An outstanding candidate, Southampton star Morgan Schneiderlin is a great all-round central midfield player who has been in top form for the Saints this season. The Frenchman has shown he can run the game at this level and although he won’t come cheap, he is up there with the club’s best targets.
1) Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)
A long-time target for Arsenal, there’s no doubt that Real Madrid contract rebel Sami Khedira would be the absolutely ideal signing for the club at the moment. The German international has won all there is to win in the game and is a quality player who could move on the cheap or even for free next summer, though Bayern Munich are currently tipped to be leading the chase for his signature.