David Alaba is currently plying his trade at Bayern Munich, where he has been residing since 2008. He’s recently come off a third successive Bundesliga title, as well as boasting a Champions League medal to his name. The 23-year old has risen up the ranks at the biggest club in Germany, breaking into the first-team in 2010. For such a young player, Alaba already claims a very experienced CV – an Austrian international at 17 (a national record), a 2-time Austrian Sportsperson of the Year, as well as winning nearly every club major honour possible with the Bavarians – fantastic achievements which have raised his stock on the continent.
In a game increasingly becoming known for its diversity on all fronts, a player like Alaba is essential for sides who are looking to claim the biggest spoils in world football. The former Rapid Vienna player is renowned for his tireless work-rate and adaptability – especially key in a Pep Guardiola side which is constantly changing and morphing to wrong-foot the opposition, meaning their players must be versatile to play under the Spaniard – as well his near-complete ability not just in one specific position, but eventually all over the defence and midfield. This ethos has been applied by the former Barcelona coach – with Alaba having played at full-back, centre-half, defensive midfielder and central midfielder throughout the course of last 12 months.
Averaging a rating of over 7.2 in each position on WhoScored, it shows that not only can Alaba be trusted all over the pitch, but also to deliver a strong performance wherever selected. His future lies in the middle of the park, and his variety and strength of passing – demonstrated by averaging over 87 passes every league match, a 91% pass completion rate, and over 3 successful long balls averaged every match in Germany’s top tier – as well as his exceptional hold-up play and creating of key chances (almost 2 key passes created every game in Europe) solidifies that statement. This, coupled with a high-energy style to his game, makes the 5′ 11 player one of the hottest talents in Europe simply for how much he’ll be able to offer in the years to come.
But why do Arsenal need him? Alaba matches the requirements Arsenal perhaps set out for in their players. Elements like hold-up play, a major factor needed in the possession play that Arsenal advocate between their midfield and attack, is something the former Hoffenheim loanee possesses. Also, we’ve already discussed his unrivalled versatility, and looking at players like Alexis Sánchez, who can play across the attacking midfield and at striker, and Santi Cazorla, the Spanish Magician who is no stranger to doing a job on the wing, behind the striker or, as we’ve recently seen, as a playmaking central midfielder, a role which has produced some promising results, it appears that’s also a factor Arsenal look out for in their players – something that’s vital when dealing with the inevitable injury crisis, or when trying to keep a squad fit throughout an entire league season – especially when trying to legitimately challenge for the title. Whilst Alaba could play at left-back – a position he is skilled at, and with the shortfalls of Kieran Gibbs, and the potential of a decline (given age and injury problems) with Nacho Monreal, it could be a useful buy for that position – however with an ageing Cazorla perhaps ready to depart soon, a combination that has interested me is an Alaba-Ramsey pivot in a 4-2-3-1.
Two box-to-box midfielders operating at the base of the midfield. Such roles would require both players to be tireless and hard-working in the defensive department – a job that wasn’t executed right when deploying Denilson and Cesc Fabregas in similar roles in the past – but if it can work, we could be seeing a potential world-class partnership that could dominate England for many years to come. If worse came to worst, the Austrian could even operate in the heart of the defence.
A signing like Alaba would bring much needed title-winning experience. Looking at the most recent English champions, Chelsea, only 3 or 4 of their starting XI players at one point wouldn’t have a league title to their name when the season started – that is the model Arsenal need to aim for. Alaba has “been there and done it” and would be a great character for the other team-mates to take on board.
Perhaps there are questions over whether Alaba would even be allowed to be prised away from the Allianz Arena, however, as we’ve seen with so many different players, a move could always be on the cards. Game time – Alaba appeared 20 less times this season in comparison to last. Granted, he suffered injury throughout the course of the campaign, but with Guardiola’s lack of full-backs in his defensive system, as well as the Champions League winning coach perhaps preferring more traditional centre-backs occupying the middle of the back 4, the defence may not be a steady home for him.
With the resurgence of Xabi Alonso in the midfield, Thiago being tipped to storm the Bayern team under the guidance of father figure-like Guardiola, as well as the ever-strong presence of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben on the flanks, it could just be that there isn’t really a nailed on place for Alaba in the Bayern starting XI – a shame, given the quality of the player, but also a testament to the immense quality the German champions currently hold. With the progress Arsenal are making in the last two years – consecutive FA Cup victories, an avoidance of the infamous Champions League play-offs – as well as the City of London itself, a vibrant place, not just as a footballing hub but also as a City, could entice Alaba into buying into the Arsenal project.
Snatching Alexis Sánchez under the noses of Liverpool, Mesut Özil from Manchester United, and Petr Cech from PSG shows that Arsenal are capable of undertaking such a bold strategy, and given the quality of player, it’s worth our while to have a go at it again.
David Alaba fits the top calibre Arsène Wenger is setting out for in signings such as Mesut Özil, Alexis Sánchez and more recently Petr Cech, and ticks all the boxes for the type of player Arsenal need to seal up the defence in favour of a title challenge – versatility, passing maestro, youthful, and a player who can bring some vital title-winning experience to the dressing room.
One of my favourite players from the game, and one who I’d strongly press for the North London club to acquire.
