With Morgan Schneiderlin making the move to the red half of Manchester for a reported £25 million, Arsenal have missed out on their rumoured number one target for the defensive midfield position.
Let’s discuss why missing out on Schneiderlin could prove costly for Arsenal’s title ambitions
Quality of Arsenal’s defensive midfielders
A new one-year deal for Mikel Arteta seems confusing due to his below par performances and injury problems from the previous Premier League campaign. It is unbelievably clear that Arteta’s days in an Arsenal shirt are fading as his inability to tackle and cover ground quickly are becoming more and more noticeable. Last season represented that with counter attacking teams able to break past the Spaniard and cause danger to the Arsenal goal.
Meanwhile, Mathieu Flamini was an instant revelation when he re-joined the club in 2013. The 31-year-old provided an aggressive approach which hadn’t been seen in an Arsenal team since the days of the Invincibles. At the time of signing the former AC Milan midfielder on a free, it seemed like a stroke a genius from Arsene Wenger. However, with rash decision making coming in to his game, Flamini has become a liability for Arsenal in recent times. Whilst he does offer some leadership traits, he often worries about the duties of other players before his own which has caused problems for Arsenal’s at time fragile defence.
Provides competition for Coquelin
Whether you think that Francis Coquelin is better than Morgan Schneiderlin or vice versa, the signing of the former Southampton midfielder would have provided valuable competition in the defensive midfield area.
Whilst Coquelin was arguably the most improved Arsenal player over the past six to eight months, he needs someone to pressure and enable him to continue his brilliant performances. He cannot be expected to play all 38 games this season. Schneiderlin’s experience could also be vital as he has played in the Premier League for a number of years and with the French national team, which Coquelin could learn greatly from.
With the current depth in the defensive midfield not being sufficient, an injury to the 24-year-old could see Arsenal’s midfield losing much needed balance. This would put the club back to square one with Arteta and Flamini forced into the midfield, which would see mediocrity return to the side.
Now let’s discuss why it may not be costly to Arsenal’s title ambitions
Alternative Options
Whilst having Morgan Schneiderlin would have been a good purchase, there are other players that could do the same job as Morgan Schneiderlin. His former teammate Victor Wanyama is a perfect example for a defensive midfielder that Arsene Wenger should have his eyes on. The Kenyan would provide strength and discipline, similar to that of Coquelin. It was noticeable last season that when Wanyama was out of the Southampton side, he was missed greatly on the pitch. He, alongside his former counterpart in Schneiderlin, was a fundamental reason for Southampton having the second best defensive record in the Premier League last season.
Lars Bender could also be a defensive midfielder that Arsenal target in the summer transfer window. The German international has been linked with a big money move for the last couple of transfer windows and with Bayern Leverkusen not making a title challenge to Bayern Munich, Bender may decide that a move is necessary to further his career.
His ability to intercept passes and nullify important opposition attacking players is second to none which shows that he has the tools to play in this Arsenal side. He fits the philosophy of Arsenal as well, playing shorter passes forward which could allow the more attacking players to express themselves, such as Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey.
Need more than a defensive midfielder
Schneiderlin would have improved the overall quality of the squad, however other positions in the team are needed as well in order for Arsenal to significantly challenge for the title. So while Arsenal missing out on Schneiderlin is disappointing, it probably won’t cost the club the title due to deficiencies in other areas.
A striker is at the top of the list for most Arsenal fans, a clinical and ruthlessness edge is needed to add to the attack in central positions. Such rumours from news publications that Alexandre Lacazette may be at the top of the shopping list for Arsene Wenger. Lacazette would provide excellent movement and electric pace with an explosive finish which would fit perfectly into the Arsenal team. With twenty seven goals in Ligue 1 last season, more than the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani, it could be a signing that would push Arsenal closer to the Premier league trophy.
