One player Arsenal would take from each Premier League team
- Frankie Hobbs
- @Frankie_Hobbs
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Despite Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Everton, it looks as though the 2015-16 season will be one that ends unsuccessfully. Arsene Wenger’s side look to have come up just short* in what is perhaps the easiest Premier League title to win since the inception back in 1992.
In today’s Premier League, every single team is full of some quality (OK, maybe not Aston Villa) and with plenty of time on our hands thanks to the international break, it’s probably a good time to do something purely hypothetical. So, if Arsenal could take one player from each team in the Premier League to put into their current squad, who would it be? Surely each team has enough quality in the squad to improve the Gunners slightly…
*Arsenal could still go on and win the league. At the end of the day, Spurs are Spurs and Leicester are bound to wobble soon. But these kind of hypothetical questions are always fun to look into.
So, here is one player from each Premier League club that Arsenal could do with…
Aston Villa: Jordan Amavi
This was easily the hardest of the 20 teams. Aston Villa – as proved by their position – are the worst team in the league by some distance. And while Jordan Amavi wouldn’t start over Nacho Monreal, he could provide some decent competition for the Spaniard and would allow the club to offload Kieran Gibbs. Amavi has only just turned 22 and looks to have a decent future ahead of him if he can escape Villa Park.
Bournemouth: Callum Wilson
Benik Afobe has been fantastic for Bournemouth since his arrival and has fired them to safety, however before he joined Callum Wilson was setting the Premier League alight. The striker was actually linked with a move to Arsenal and he has all the attributes to play at a higher level. He’s quick, strong, and can finish well. He would give Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck something to think about when fully fit.
Chelsea: Kurt Zouma
I wouldn’t really like to take anyone from Chelsea, but there’s no doubt that Kurt Zouma is on course to become one of the world’s best centre-backs. He’s lightning quick, unbeatable in the air and reads the game well for someone of his age. Arsenal could have had their centre-back for the next 10 years covered had they moved for him.
Crystal Palace: Yohan Cabaye
Yohan Cabaye wouldn’t start every game for Arsenal, but he would easily have racked up over 25 appearances this season. He is what Arsenal have missed at some points this season: creativity from deep. His touch and feel for the game could have really improved the Gunners’ form at home against the weaker teams in the division. Arsenal at the moment can’t build attacks from midfield and Cabaye can aid that.
Everton: Romelu Lukaku
This is a fairly straightforward one. Arsenal need a striker who can score more goals and there aren’t many better in the Premier League than big Rom. On his day he’s unplayable and he would fit straight into Arsenal’s side.
Leicester: Jamie Vardy
Riyad Mahrez is the obvious fit here, but Arsenal already possess the best creative player in the league in Mesut Ozil, so Jamie Vardy’s tenacity and killer instinct in front of goal makes him the pick here. Alexis, Ozil and Welbeck behind Vardy would make for one hard-working, deadly attacking force.
Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge
For the sake of this exercise, I’m leaving injuries out of it. On his day, Daniel Sturridge is up there with the best in the Premier League. He would fit nicely into Arsenal’s fluid attacking unit and finish many of the chances laid on by Mesut and co.
Manchester City: Sergio Aguero
The best player in the Premier League. Bar none. Sergio Aguero has the ability to flip a game on it’s head. Put him in Arsenal’s side and they probably win the title by 10 points.
Manchester United: Anthony Martial
He may not have scored as many goals as he would have liked this season, there’s no doubting how good Anthony Martial would look in an Arsenal kit. How did Arsene Wenger let this one go? He would be the Gunners’ new Thierry Henry and lead them onto title after title. He’s that good.
Newcastle United: Ayoze Perez
Picked up for a pittance from Tenerife, Ayoze Perez is a very underrated player. He may not score a bucketload of goals but he’s very tidy and in a better team his talent would be more obvious. If Newcastle go down, I would have no problem with Arsenal picking him up on the cheap.
Norwich City: Timm Klose
Timm Klose arrived at Norwich from Wolfsburg with a very decent reputation and has looked better than most of Norwich’s options at the back. He could provide some decent competition for Mertesacker and Gabriel.
Southampton: Sadio Mane
Southampton’s Sadio Mane is a livewire and could really be a good option off the bench for Arsenal. He was linked with a move to Manchester United last summer and I think he would have actually been a good signing. He’s pacey, can beat a man and seems to perform better with all eyes on him.
Stoke City: Xherdan Shaqiri
Despite all of Arsenal’s attacking talent, they could definitely do with some additional firepower on the wing. Xherdan Shaqiri provides that in abundance. His left foot is a wand and a trio of him, Alexis and Ozil behind a striker would be scary for fans of other Premier League teams.
Sunderland: Emmanuel Eboue
The man, the myth, the legend. Bring him back.
Swansea: Ki Sung-yueng
Ki Sung-yueng is a very accomplished, tidy midfielder and would be a nice midfield option for any side. He’s more experienced than Elneny and is probably a better footballer than Francis Coquelin. Be interesting to see if any big clubs try and take him away from Swansea – he rarely puts a foot wrong.
Tottenham: Harry Kane
Harry Kane is not a one-season wonder. Harry Kane is this generation’s Teddy Sheringham, Alan Shearer or Michael Owen. He’s England’s best striker and is on his way to superstardom. If Arsenal had him they would be romping home to the Premier League title.
Watford: Odion Ighalo
Ighalo’s combination of strength and pace make him the obvious pick here. He’s been on fire this season and with better players around him who knows what he’s possible of?
West Brom: Jonny Evans
Despite being sold by Manchester United, Jonny Evans remains a very solid defender and would be a very capable backup for Arsenal. In fact, he would probably push Mertesacker for a starting berth.
West Ham: Dimitri Payet
Just imagine Dimitri Payet and Mesut Ozil linking up. That vision alone is enough. He’s a disgustingly good footballer and would make any team in the league better. You have to wonder where he’ll be next season because it’s hard to see West Ham holding onto him…