When Arsenal played Napoli in a recent Champions League fixture, Arsene Wenger’s boys did a decent job of nullifying any threat the Serie A team presented and passing them out of the game. Indeed, Rafa Benitez’s side acquitted themselves considerably better during the Emirates Cup clash during the summer (which they drew 2-2).
But Arsenal’s dominance during that recent fixture meant we saw very little of Napoli’s midfield magician, Gokhan Inler.
As it happens, the Gunners were recently linked to the Swiss ace, whose reputation has only increased with age. He’s now 29-years-old and is playing some of the very best football of his career. The man’s in peak form.
The Star claim that Arsene Wenger is a big fan of Inler and pursued him during his days at Udinese. Now Wenger has re-ignited his interest and it’s thought that he may launch a £12.5m January bid for the midfielder. He’ll face competition from Turkish side Galatasaray.
I’m sure this particular rumour will get laughed off due to the current strength of Arsenal’s midfield. The Gunners can already call upon: Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky. These footballers are all class acts.
But Wenger is the kind of manager who tends to sign players he likes, rather than players he needs. Whilst most fans will have their fingers crossed that another striker joins Arsenal during the January transfer window, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he ended up signing Inler.
Inler is best known for his role as a midfield enforcer. But he’s also pretty versatile. He’s the kind of player that Arsene loves. He’s got excellent technical ability, great poise and balance, quick feet and can pick out the gaps in between defenders with accurate passes. He’s also willing to run at the opposition, which is something that Arsenal lack at the moment.
It’s worth baring in mind that he’s one of Napoli’s most important players. I find it hard to believe that Rafa would let him go for as little as £12.5m. If he is available for this price, then I could hardly blame Wenger for swooping in.
It would be something of a luxury signing, but it’s one that could reap some great results.
What’s your take? Should Arsenal really be spending time chasing Napoli’s Gokhan Inler?
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