After selling Alex Song last summer, I’m surprised that Arsenal didn’t move for a defensive midfielder before this point.
Mikel Arteta played in the holding role for large periods last season. Whilst he did a good job, this did limit his ability to influence the Gunners going forward. He was there to shield the back-four, win free-kicks and provide simple passes to midfielders like Santi Cazorla or Jack Wilshere.
Even if it does nothing else, signing another defensive midfielder would allow Mikel to player further up the pitch. That would be a victory in itself.
Luckily, the Gunners have been linked to a number of intriguing defensive-minded midfielders.
There’s Victor Wanyama, Celtic’s Kenyan talent. There’s Lars Bender a Bundesliga ace. There’s also Asier Illarramendi, an exciting Spanish talent, who looks to be on his way to Real Madrid with a £25m price-tag (Source: The Express).
If the Gunners are really willing to spend this kind of cash on a midfielder, why not make a move for Everton’s Marouane Fellaini?
According to The Daily Mail, the big Belgium midfielder would be keen on a move to the Emirates and would love for an opportunity to play Champions League football.
Fellaini has a £22m release clause written into his contract, which is £7m above Arsenal’s current transfer record. The trouble seems to lie in his wages. He’s believed to be earning approximately £75k-a-week at Everton and wants a pay-rise to be a part of his move away from the club.
Whether it’s his wages, or his price-tag, something may have to give if he’s to become an Arsenal player. Perhaps Fellaini could accept lower wages, but better bonuses for good performances? I’m sure something could be worked out if both sides are interested enough.
It strikes me that Fellaini would be a perfect fit for Arsenal. Abou Diaby is always interested and nobody else really offers any kind of physicality among the Arsenal ranks.
Better still, Fellaini has the technical ability that Arsenal fans are accustomed to seeing in their players. This, combined with his versatility and age (he’s still just 25-years-old) makes him worthy of his price-tag.
When you boil it down, Fellaini is a great all-round midfielder. He won’t stay at Everton much longer. If Arsenal don’t snap him up, somebody else will. Whilst Arsene Wenger is right to play hardball, I hope this approach doesn’t cost the club a quality signing.
What’s your take? Which defensive midfielders should Arsenal look at this summer? Would Marouane Fellaini be a good choice?
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Guys will you stop panicking and stressing !! The transfer window has only just opened, there is plenty of time for us to sign a player or because we have been told by the board we can match the big spenders on transfer fees doesn’t mean Arsenal should made its self gullible to unscrupulous football agents demanding extortionate transfer fees.
A stitch in time saves nine, please if mosieu wenger get any ambition 4 d club next season let him start d process in earnest. i dont xpect him talkin too much wen other teams like united, city, chelsea tot even l’pool ar all strengthenin dia team. pls do d biz. on time, u stil nid right full back dont 4get. Go 4 another DM if u ar aving problem wt 1, dia ar 1000’s of gud DM u can choose d 1 dat suite ur team. Tanx.
Fellaini should’ve been the first to sign for ARSENAL then others follow. He’s a utility player who can only bring back to arsenal to good invincible reign. A/W, pliz bring Fellaini to emirates
U know aw is a cawat he is not interesting in our views n wat is good for da club
Mr wenger pls go for fellaini he is type of player we are looking for pls and pls board
Wat a huge mess while dealing wiz arsenal board wen comes 2 transfer deals,fellaini c’d b da best man 2 solve da vacuum left by alex bt hell wiz da board who r mny minded bt less concerned abt wat we fans want 2 c in da team….itz cash which makes transfer deals progressing nt wordz lyk we r going 2 buy so n so,dey wake n purchase really starz 2 b competitive.
70ml.will go to the dividends sanogo came for free and thats we get this seazon we are used to the lies every widow
GAZIDIS & WENGER ARE DECIEVING THEM SELF, BY USING SUAREZ & ROONEY RUMOURS TO DECIEVING WE FANS, I DON’T THINK THEY READY TO BUY OR SIGN ANY BIG PLAYER, IF THEY CAN’T SIGN HIGUAIN! THEN GO & NEGREDO, BENTEKE, OR GOMES, THOSE ARE THE QUALITY & SUPERB STRIKERS, GO FOR ONE OF THEM IF YOU REALLY NEED A VERY GOOD STRIKER.
Right from day 1,i know arsenal will not sign any world class player,the kind of player GAZIDIS & WENGER want is a player that they will get at just 10.000$ so that they will call them the richest club in the world.we all know the kind of games GAZIDIS AND WENGER are playing,wenger willl be playing as DM and Gazidis as center forword