Despite Arsenal failing to secure silverware again last season, there was plenty of evidence to suggest that the Gunners were no longer easy to bully. Arsenal didn’t lose games because of a lack of character, or fight, they lost games because they didn’t have the firepower to break down stubborn defences.
Yet many fans still feel that the Gunners need to add a bit of brawn to their midfield. They argue that Arsenal focus too much on small, technically gifted players (like Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, etc) and send those who don’t fit this mould packing (Alex Song).
Still, it’s difficult to argue that Mikel Arteta did a bad job in the holding role last season. He protected the back-four, he won a lot of fouls and he rarely ever gave the ball away. His form in this position suggests to me that Arsenal don’t really need to bolster this area of the pitch. That’s unless they can find somebody who would significantly improve their midfield.
This brings me to Marouane Fellaini. According to The Mirror, the big Belgium is ready and willing to move to the Emirates this season. The source even labels it his ‘dream transfer’.
It’s also thought that Arsenal are unwilling to meet Fellaini’s release clause. Everton would be forced into selling should the Gunners offer £23m, but thus far Arsene Wenger has been unwilling to splash the cash.
This seems typical of Arsenal, a club notorious for their tight-fisted approach to the transfer market. The Gunners are thought to be flush with cash, following a couple of great commercial deals and a pro-longed period of limited (net) spending. And yet they’re unwilling to pay full-price for a player who had an explosive season last year.
Fellaini seems to be a perfect fit for Arsenal. Yes, he’s big, bulky and physically strong, but he’s also technically gifted and knows how to pass the ball about and score goals. He’s got real character and the ability to turn a game on its head.
Nobody’s going to try and out-muscle Fellaini, but they may be taken unawares by his ability with the ball at his feet. I’d say he’s worth £23m because he’s exactly the player Arsenal need at the moment. He’s also the right age and is surely looking to make the step up to a bigger club.
He just seems to check every box. Let’s just hope Wenger’s willing to cash the cheque! (Did you see what I did there?)
What’s your take? Should Arsenal trigger Marouane Fellaini’s release clause?
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Please ooh arsene wenger get this dude b4 other clubs come after him!!up fellaini up 23million..
Wenger Mr 2 know always right. The moment he respect peoples view and acknowledge no one is perfect things will started getting better. As long Baba ijebu still on the throne, to all fans forget about winning cups.
Fellaini is a quality player,but wenger bcos of his stinginess has his own definition of quality. Gunner fans are tired of waiting for Arsenal to struggle at the end of the season for fourth position which has become a trophy for Arsenal fans in recent years. pls can someone in the Board buy this boy for us?
It is just unfortunate that AW still believes in his crooked and deceived manners. By triggering some big names to keep us running our precious tym in thinking one or two of them will be signed b4 window closes, and in the end point , signs one funny guy. Its enough man sign men and not boys
Am boared with wenger.
Iv been saying to my mates for two years we need him
Same old story
if we can hav felllani n higuain, then the league is ours.pls aw splash d cash!
Must we pay whatever a club demands just because we want to sign a player? I am of the opinion that there must be room for negotiation as to get value for money. We cannot throw money away like father Christmas as some are doing
I think arsenal not going to buy anybody big only kids fella Rooney lwdski all good buy my faith is going so is my heart to arsenal this is my last season if we don’t spend big
higuian and either fellani or capoue.prefer fellani.another creative mid-fielder would work.cazola needs a rest sometimes.premier league and champion league can take a toll.
Just to piss you off, I hope wenger doesn’t buy him. You wouldn’t have anything to whinge about
Everyone talks about improving our midfield but our midfield has never been our problem. Thats the one strenth of the team. If Cap V had not made horrible mistakes and if we scored in big games, we would have had trophes this season.