Southampton, Aston Villa and Newcastle midfielders could all be options for one of the Gunners’ problem positions.
With another Premier League game passing, once again Arsenal struggled to turn their heavy ball possession in a match into the three points needed.
Despite having 66% possession and 25 shots on the Hull goal, it was the Gunners that needed stoppage time to score the goal that would earn them a solitary point. Until that moment, Hull were set for maximum points despite only managing a handful of attempts on goal.
With reinforcements in central defence and defensive midfield obvious improvements that can be made to Wenger’s squad, we look at three players in the Premier League that could come into the midfield to protect the back four.
Arsenal continue to be linked with a move for Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira, but given the difficulty they had in completing a deal in the summer, it would be prudent for Wenger to have some alternatives lined up that he knows can perform in the English top flight.
Morgan Schneiderlin – The Frenchman was linked to both Arsenal and Tottenham this summer before the Saints ruled out any more departures from St Mary’s. Depending on how you look at it, that has been bad news for any interested parties like the Gunners, as Schneiderlin has shone as a classy central midfielder in Southampton’s impressive form and will now likely cost a fair bit more than if they would have pushed ahead with the signing before the start of the season. Good on the ball and plenty young enough to be a long term investment, it is no surprise to see Schenderilin mentioned once more for when the January window opens.
Fabian Delph – After some difficult years at Villa, Delph is now finally showing the kind of form he looked capable of as a youngster at Leeds. The 24-year-old has played his way into the England squad with his tough-tackling, energetic midfield performances, and importantly for any potential Arsenal arrival, he can also play a bit too. Delph is set for a spell out of the Villa side with a shoulder injury, but he could also prove to be an interesting option for Arsenal, especially given Wenger’s willingness to once more splash out on English talent and the fact the midfielder is in the last year of his contract.
Cheick Tiote – Tiote has long been linked with a move to Arsenal, though for many Gunners fans he is remembered for his long range strike that saw Newcastle come back from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 in 2011. Another tenacious and destructive midfielder, the Ivorian was forced to deny interest in joining the Gunners during the summer when it was rumoured he was angling for a move. With Newcastle struggling, it makes it even likelier that the 28-year-old is open to a move down to London.
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