Arsenal have lacked aggression and tenacity in their side since the departure of Patrick Vieira in 2005.
Mascherano would be a fantastic addition to the Arsenal squad
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League last season, which on the surface seems more than respectable.
Their late run combined with Tottenham Hotspur’s collapse papered over the cracks, however, and it is vital that manager Arsene Wenger invests heavily in his squad over the summer.
Granit Xhaka has already been signed, but there is a feeling around the Emirates Stadium that the side needs more experience, and more importantly, they need winners.
Javier Mascherano’s future has been the subject of intense speculation over recent weeks, with various reports suggesting that Italian giants Juventus are interested in his signature, as reported by Sky Sports earlier this month.
Mascherano’s experience could help Arsenal win the title
If Arsenal are serious about winning titles and competing in the latter stages of the Champions League, they need to start signing players who have experience of success.
Barcelona’s Argentine defender-cum-midfield warrior has four La Liga titles and two Champions League medals to his name, and would instantly bring a winning mentality to the Gunners side.
His tenacity and snap in the tackle would give Arsenal a renewed energy and tempo. His versatility would allow him to compete for a place either in midfield or in defence, and he would be a massive upgrade on Francis Coquelin in the middle of the park, albeit an older version.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger need stop add quality to his midfield and defence
At 32, he is by no means a spring chicken, but he has proved his incredible fitness levels in making 80 appearances for Barcelona over the last two seasons.
Mascherano’s impeccable reading of the game enables him to play in the centre-back position, despite his small frame, and the thought of him lining up alongside Laurent Koscielny would be a tantalising one for Arsenal fans.
Whether Wenger would consider offering someone of Mascherano’s age a contract long enough to tempt him to move to the Emirates is another matter entirely, however. Although his attempted move for Jamie Vardy suggests that he may be changing his strategy in the aspect of signing players of a more mature age.
Would Mascherano help elevate Arsenal to a new level?
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