James Milner is still starring at Premier League leaders Liverpool at the age of 33 but would he walk into Arsenal’s side these days?
Arsenal legend Sol Campbell has told talkSPORT that Unai Emery’s ailing side are crying out for a midfielder with that all-too rare mix of technical ability and a relentless work ethic – someone like James Milner.
Milner might not be the most naturally gifted footballer of his generation but there’s a reason why he has been one of the first names on the team sheet over the years for both Manchester City and Liverpool, all the while winning 61 caps for the England national team.
Even at 33, the Leeds-born Mr Reliable is as effective as ever with an uber-professional approach to the game key to his longevity.
And, speaking after Arsenal’s midfield collapsed under the slightest pressure during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Watford, Campbell has spoken of his desire for the typically wilting Gunners to bring in a player with Milner’s mentality.
“For me, it’s the controlling of the game. The middle of the park is where they’re lacking,” Campbell said, comparing Milner to his former Arsenal team-mate, the ‘Romford Pele’ Ray Parlour.
“The steeliness and the balance just isn’t there. It’s the middle of the park, you win or lose a lot of games there. You look at someone like Milner, the attitude. The Ray Parlour attitude. That’s the kind of attitude that Arsenal need.
“The love of football and desire to keep going, I think they’re lacking that. I look at Milner and think we need a little bit of that at Arsenal.”
Arsenal fans will no doubt agree.
When it comes to skill and guile, Milner doesn’t have a patch on the likes of Mesut Ozil. But when it comes to doing the dirty week, from tracking midfield runners to pressing off the ball, there’s no one like Liverpool’s number seven at Emery’s disposal.
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