Arsenal have never been shy when it comes to classy, pass-hungry midfielders. Indeed, Arsene Wenger seems to have made collecting this kind of player a kind of sport.
If you’re not handy with the ball at your feet and you can ping about quick, accurate 20-yard passes, there’s a good chance you won’t fit in at Arsenal.
That explains why Arsenal currently have Tomas Rosicky, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Mesut Ozil on their books. Heck, even the much maligned Aaron Ramsey has started to develop a fearsome pass accuracy (alongside the goals he’s added to his game).
These kind of footballers are an integral part of Wenger’s attacking philosophy. That’s why whenever a rumour springs up linking the Gunners to a play maker, or expert passer, they always seem to have a ring of truth.
What’s more, the fact that Arsenal recently spent £42.5m on an attacking midfielder shows that all bets are off. The Gunners now have the capital to compete for most players. That’s an extremely promising situation to be in.
So what are we to make of the The Star‘s claim that Arsenal are in the running to sign Juventus ace Andrea Pirlo (alongside Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham)?
For a start, it strikes me that Pirlo is more or less the archetypal Arsenal player. Wenger seems to fashion his midfielders in Pirlo’s image. In some ways, signing Pirlo would be the realisation of an ideal for the Gunners.
At this stage, it’s worth noting that he’s now 34-years-old. Some of his powers will be waxing and waning. He won’t win any leg races with Theo Walcott. He may even get out-paced by Olivier Giroud.
But nobody in this Arsenal squad would out pass him. Not even Mesut Ozil (not at this stage in his career, any way).
The Gunners have a congested midfield as it is, but Pirlo is one of the few players out there who could improve it.
With Antonio Conte unsure as to whether he will offer the Italian maestro a new contract, Arsene Wenger now has an opportunity to slip in and snap him up.
If the price is right, it would be a hard signing to argue against. Lets see if Arsenal can pull it off.
What’s your take? Should Arsenal be interested in Andrea Pirlo?
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we need him as a backup