Arsenal are in a rather curious position. Last season they did better than anybody expected (and even managed to pick up their first bit of silverware in nine years). This summer, they’ve had their best transfer window experience in quite some time, making a number of excellent additions to their squad (chief among them is Alexis Sanchez, who’s already started to find his goal-scoring form).
There should be a lot of positivity. So why have The Gunners’ early season performances been so lacklustre? Why are we here on deadline day with a number of squad weaknesses yet to be redressed?
For what it’s worth, I can’t help but feel that Arsenal need another centre-back, a defensive midfielder and a quality striker if they’re to compete for further silverware this season. If Arsene Wenger doesn’t play his cards right during his deadline day poker session, Arsenal could come all undone.
For now, let’s focus on Arsenal’s clear and present need for a new centre-back. Having sold Thomas Vermaelen earlier this summer, The Gunners are notably short in this department.
Beyond Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny (who went off injured against Leicester City yesterday), Arsenal’s options are limited. Calum Chambers could be called upon, but there’s a chance that he’ll be needed in other departments (he can also fill in as a right-back or a defensive midfielder).
It looks like Arsene Wenger will need to take to the transfer market if he’s to fix this issue. This brings me to The Daily Mail’s claim that Arsenal are considering a move for Borussia Dortmund’s experienced centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos. That’s a tough name to spell, but could he prove to be exactly what Arsenal need?
He’s only been at Dortmund for a single year, but The Mail claims that he’s already keen on a move to the Premier League. As it happens, he’s a stocky, physical presence who’s strong in the air. It strikes me that he’d fit in very well in English football.
At 26-years-old, he should be about to enter his peak years as a footballer. Now’s the time for Arsenal to make their move. The aforementioned source claims that he could be available for £20m. That’s a lot of money, but it’s not like The Gunners have a lot of room to negotiate.
Let’s just hope that Arsene Wenger is ready and willing to seal the deal.
What’s your take? Can The Gunners wrap up a deadline day deal for Sokratis Papastathopoulos?
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He is good anyway.
I think he is good,