A Defender And Defensive Midfielder A Must Buy For Arsenal This Winter

The January transfer window is just four weeks away from opening. And the press has been running with stories that Arsenal could bring in more than one player when the transfer window reopens, while most of the musings from Arsene Wenger has pointed to the fact that he is considering signing at least one player in January. However, there are indications if media reports are anything to go by, that the club could bring in more than one player.

The defensive problem the team has faced this season has been borne out more out of a dearth of adequate defensive cover when other players have been out. A case in point has been Nacho Monreal’s deployment as a centre half in seven straight games, before Laurent Koscielny returned last weekend. Besides the defensive concerns, there have also been the issue of inadequate cover and protection afforded the defence from midfield, and the constant injuries to Mikel Arteta has not help the team’s course this season, and as a result, there are indications that the club could address this problem in January.

To this end, several defenders and central midfielder have been linked to the club.

Sevilla’s defensive midfielder Grzegortz Krychowiak has been the subject of speculations in recent months, the 24 year old Polish international has been in good form for Sevilla since he was signed from Reims in the summer. He has reportedly been scouted several times by Arsenal. And with his time playing in France, he should be known to Arsenal French scout Gilles Grimandi. He has also being linked to Inter Milan,

And there is also James McCarthy of Everton. The 24 year old who reports claims could be the subject of a bid from Arsenal in January. Both players are expected to cost Arsenal between £16-£18 million. With club’s reluctance to sanction moves for their players in January because of difficulty in finding replacement within a short period, it could be difficulty for this to pull through.

Conversely, several defenders have been linked to the club. Tyrone Mings has been at the top of the speculations linking players to the club. The 21 year old is a left back, but he is thought to have a long term future as a centre half because of his physical attributes. The Ipswich Town defender has been instrumental to Mick McCarthy’s side push for promotion from the Championship this season. He is thought to have same attributes as Calum Chambers who can play both right back and centre half.

Other defenders that have been linked within this period include Celtic’s Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk. He claimed in the past that he is open to a move to Arsenal in January. While Aston Villa defender and Captain Ron Vlaar has also been mooted as his contract has just seven months to run at Villa Park.

One theme that is prevalent from the players that have been linked to the club is that few are better than what the club already have, which means, Arsenal scouts would have to come up with the goods this time around.