FC Basel are a club who have attracted a lot of attention thanks to their exploits in the Europa League this season and it would surprise nobody if transfer vultures began to circle over the club’s best players.
This brings me to Arsenal’s proposed interest in FC Basel’s prodigal defender, Aleksandar Dragovic. The Express claim that the 22-year-old has made it onto Arsene Wenger’s summer wish-list and could be part of Arsenal’s cash splurge.
Following a season of disappointments (and a number of seasons before that), Arsene and the club’s top brass seem ready to put their money where their mouth is.
Signing Aleksandar Dragovic would be a good start.
Arsenal’s back line has been the subject of a lot of criticism this season. Fingers have been pointed at the likes of Wojciech Szczesny, Per Mertesacker, Bacary Sagna and Thomas Vermaelen (two of whom have been dropped in recent weeks).
Whilst the club’s defensive record hasn’t been terrible this season, the number of individual errors committed by each player is remarkable. This combined with questionable tactics and poor organisation (case in point: Tottenham’s 2-1 win earlier this season, where they scored two identical goals) has led to the need for a switch up.
Arsenal need another option at the back to keep things fresh and stir up some much needed competition.
Dragovic is young, but the Austrian centre-back has already demonstrated plenty of potential. He’s tall, strong in the air, quick along the ground, whilst being tough and physical.
These qualities would ensure he’d fit in well at Arsenal. Most importantly, however, he’s a natural defender – in other words, he’s smart, takes up good positions, makes good blocks and reads the game well.
The Gunners are known for targeting young players and reaping the benefits of their development. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wenger took the same approach with his defense and signed Dragovic.
I’d like to see him deployed alongside Laurent Koscielny (who I would argue is the Gunners most consistent defender – though that’s admittedly not saying much), with Thomas Vermaelen as the stand in. I’m not sure Per Mertesacker has the pace to fit into this Arsenal system.
If Arsenal are to splash the cash this summer, the defense will be the area to focus on and Dragovic has earned his place on the shortlist.
What’s your take? Would this Austrian talent fit in nicely at the Emirates?
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