Arsenal is still in need of reinforcements before the current transfer window ends. They need a center back and a physical midfielder/defensive midfielder. Below is a list of players that Arsenal may be targeting to fill their voids.
Kostas Manolas
The need for an additional center back is clear and Manolas has been constantly linked with Arsenal for the past month.
Manolas had a decent World Cup with Greece and seems to have the potential to be a good player. Good enough to play and start for Arsenal though is another issue entirely. While he does seem to be strong and consistent in the air, he did nothing to prove that he can do the extraordinary. His reading of the game is decent as is his tackling. He fluffed a kick against Columbia allowing the ball to trickle into the net though, outlining his deficiencies. He clearly has work to do.
The one thing that Manolas does have going for him is that he is young, and a young center back would be an ideal replacement for the departed Thomas Vermaelen when looking at Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny’s age. They are both going to be 29 this season and although that is not old by any means for a center back, Arsenal do not have a center back of the future in their ranks. Calum Chambers will be a defensive midfielder even though he has proved more than capable at center back.
Don’t be surprised to see Arsene Wenger not sign Manolas and do something Wenger-ish and sign somebody few people know of or simply not sign anybody at all.
Sami Khedira
Another player that has been linked with Arsenal the entire summer, Khedira would absolutely fill a need and add quality. The questions asked at this point are can a deal be resurrected, is Arsenal still interested, and does Khedira want a move to the Premier League or a return to the Bundesliga?
Even without the recent injury to Mikel Arteta, another holding midfielder is absolutely a need. This transfer would make sense for both parties involved. Khedira would be guaranteed a starting spot, something that he will not be with the addition of Toni Kroos at Real Madrid.
However, this transfer might prevent Jack Wilshere from getting on the field enough, as there is speculation as to whether Wilshere could in fact fill the holding midfielder role. Arsenal have been missing a physical midfielder for years since the Patrick Vieira days, even Alex Song left something to be desired at times. Although Khedira is not in the same mold as say Vieira, he would still add a physical presence to Arsenal’s technically superior midfield.
Don’t be surprised if this deal does still go through, Khedira recently refused to sign a new contract with his current deal expiring next summer, his asking price has seemed to gone down to about 12 million pounds, and reports are circulating that Jose Mourinho believes Khedira has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal. This one could be interesting.
Click on No. 2 below to see the next three players.
