Arsenal youngster Emmanuel Frimpong may have to spend the whole season on loan next year for the sake of his career.
Arsene Wenger has been heavily linked a summer transfer swoop for 21-year-old Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila.
The French international is rated as one of the best defensive midfield prospects in Europe and has been touted as an excellent addition to the Gunners midfield.
His arrival, if it happens, would have knock on effects.
With Jack Wilshere due back from injury well before the start of next season, the competition for places in the centre of Arsenal’s midfield will be tougher than ever.
That is no bad thing, numerous options are needed to battle for trophies on all fronts, and a lack of strength in depth has cost Arsenal at times this season, particularly when they were exposed 8-2 at Old Trafford back in August.
There will though, be somebody to lose out in the contest for places, and Wenger will have to manage his options wisely.
Competing for regular football in the middle of the park with M’Vila if he arrives will be; Jack Wilshere, Alex Song, Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky, Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin, Emmanuel Frimpong, and Abou Diaby.
Arsenal also have the option of playing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as part of a midfield three, while there is also talented teenager Serge Gnabry who may push for a first team breakthrough, at least in the Carling Cup
Arsenal play three in midfield usually, but nine into three does not go, and there will be players who spend most of their time on the sidelines even if they are fit, and if they choose to adapt their formation for Lukas Podolski and play a 4-4-2, then competition for places will intensify.
The two obvious fall-guys are Emmanuel Frimpong and Abou Diaby, not because of a lack of talent, but due to their injury problems.
Diaby has played just 49 minutes of league football all season, and will need regular action if he is to relaunch his career.
Frimpong was going along steadily, making a breakthrough with sporadic performances for the club, on the fringes of the first team early in the year.
His January loan to Wolves was designed to make him a better player and take him to the next level through regular football, but after a promising start it turned sour, suffering a cruciate ligament injury, ending his spell before it had even got started.
He is currently undergoing rehabilitation and hopes to be ready for the start of next season, but it was a most unwelcome setback for his career, and leaves him having to almost start again and rebuild next season.
Both Diaby and Frimpong will be in similar positions, in need of regular first team football, but will face a struggle to get that at Arsenal. And that is even if Yann M’Vila does not sign.
Arsenal should send them both out on loan for the whole season to fellow Premier League clubs and let them prove themselves and re-establish themselves.
In Diaby’s case it may be his last chance to impress, Frimpong is younger and should be permitted more slack, but next season is important for him and there is no point in him kicking his heels on the bench or in the stands.
Wenger should go for M’Vila and send the pair out on loan. Do you agree?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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