Ever since Arsenal sent Thomas Vermaelen packing, they’ve been perilously short of defensive options. The big Belgian wasn’t really a viable option last season, but he did have a good reputation and a base level of ability. The Gunners don’t even really have this at the moment.
With Per Mertesacker still regaining his fitness and Laurent Koscielny an injury doubt, The Gunners don’t have any first choice centre-backs they can rely on at the moment. They’ve been forced to play Nacho Monreal out of position and to throw Calum Chambers right in at the deep end. It’s a risky tactic.
As such, the sooner another defensive recruit is brought in, the better. I’m sure that Arsene Wenger is already working his way down his list of potential targets.
This brings me to Arsenal’s interest in Manchester United centre-back, Matija Nastasic. Given all the players that The Gunners have sent to The Etihad over the last half-decade or so, it would be nice if The Sky Blues were to send a player back in the other direction.
Nastasic certainly looks surplus to requirements at City. Check out these comments from his manager Manuel Pellegrini:
“Matija needs to play. We already have important players here, with Demichelis, Kompany, Mangala and Boyata. So we will see in the next few days what happens with Nastasic. He is an important player but he has offers and I think the best thing for him is to play.”
Pellegrini is being refreshingly realistic about the player’s prospects at Manchester City. The best thing for his career now is to move on and it looks like his club are willing to let him do so.
The Metro claim that Manchester City may be willing to sell Matija Nastasic for £12m. That’s a lot of money for a player who has had limited success in the Premier League, but he’s still young and there have been some signs of his potential.
As a third choice option, he certainly looks like he’s up for the challenge. Let’s just hope that Manchester City are prepared to sell to a rival.
What’s your take? Can Arsene Wenger persuade Manuel Pellegrini to sell him Matija Nastasic?
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