Arsenal really seem to have run the gamut when it comes to defensive midfielders this summer. Arsene Wenger already has Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini in his squad, but he’s clearly on the hunt for other options.
Perhaps The Professor has recognised that both players are getting on in years and that neither of them are all that physically imposing. The Premier League is a particularly demanding environment and it’s not clear that Arsenal’s current options are good enough moving forward.
Besides, shouldn’t Mikel Arteta, with all his technical ability, be playing further up the pitch? I can’t help but feel that he’s treading water in his current role at Arsenal.
Luckily, The Gunners have been linked to a number of different defensive-minded midfielders. The list of players includes Bayer Leverkusen’s Lars Bender, Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin and Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira. These three individuals are all excellent players who have the ability to make an impact at The Emirates, but I’m not sure that any of them represent the perfect fit.
This brings me to The Gunners interest in Sporting Lisbon’s dynamic midfield talent, William Carvalho. I can’t help but feel that the Portuguese international has the perfect blend of physicality, athleticism, tackling ability and aerial dominance.
He truly is a midfield enforcer – the kind of player who could provide Arsenal’s slighter players (Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, etc) with more time and space on the ball. Carvalho could free The Gunners up from an attacking point of view.
He’d also provide Arsenal’s back-four with some much needed protection. In other words, he could prove to be a very important addition to The Gunners’ squad.
The Mirror claim that Arsenal have already made a bid for Carvalho that was turned down by Sporting Lisbon. It’s thought that the Primeira Liga side are looking for at least £24m ‘up front’.
Given the commercial deals that The Gunners have been signing in recent times, Arsene Wenger should have the cash necessary to tempt Sporting to sell. Let’s hope so. If The Gunners get their hands on the 22-year-old, he could make a huge difference to their midfield.
What’s your take? Should The Gunners continue to chase William Carvalho?
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William Carvalho is a big strong, strapping young man. He is technically gifted yet strong as an OX. For me Either him or Sami Khedira would be first choices. Carvalho like Khedira is an Alpha player. Just stronger and more intimidating that the usual players teams have. He is young and would have value for many years. Buy him sooner than later. We used to get these Alpha players like Viera, Gilberto, Petit, Lauren, Sol Campbell, Keown and Adams. Now we have these little players like Arteta an Flamini. Arsene buy William Carvalho ASAP.
Buy him straight up!
Carvalho a real good choice wenger.
Sign him up