'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In the media, it has always been said that Arsenal require a strong defensive midfielder who can screen the back four, and they are partially correct. However, Arsenal, with the way they play, need a defensive midfielder in a similar mould to Fernandinho at Manchester City, because of his technical ability.
In addition to this, they also have the dilemma of Mesut Ozil, who may be leaving the club, meaning a creative midfielder may also be required to fill the void left by the German.
Thus, here are 5 midfielders Arsenal should target this January:
#5 Idrissa Gueye (Everton)
Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gueye is the perfect example of a defensive midfielder who can also play the Arsenal way. With Everton struggling and Gueye being their standout performer on a regular basis, Arsenal should swoop in and attempt to buy the former Villa midfielder.
Gueye is now into his second season at Everton and is often compared to N’Golo Kante, another player Arsenal were previously interested in. Over the 2016 calendar year, he made the most successful tackles and interceptions out of any player in Europe’s top five leagues.
To win the most tackles and interceptions ahead of Kante, who had won a Premier League title and was on his way to his second, is simply incredible. Those statistics show how fantastic Gueye is as a defensive midfielder and the type of job he does.
Gueye would be the perfect signing for all Arsenal fans. He is very strong in a tackle, but he can also play comfortably with the ball, unlike other defensive midfielders who tackle, but distribute the ball quickly to get rid of it.
He is the player fans have been urging Arsenal to buy for a long time, with the current midfielder partnership of Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey not offering enough solidity for the weak Gunners defence.
Although Gueye has not been at Everton long, a lucrative offer by Arsenal in January may be hard to turn down for the Senegalese international.
#4 Rafinha (Barcelona)
Arsenal were supposedly interested in Barcelona midfielder Rafinha this summer, and could go back in for the Brazilian again this forthcoming January transfer window.
In the summer, a knee injury, which still keeps him out to this day, disrupted any chance of a move to North London, but a return to fitness could offer the Brazilian a chance of regular football again in January.
Rafinha has never had a regular spot in the starting 11 at Barcelona, but a move to Arsenal would almost definitely see him get more game time. He has great ability, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work out for all La Masia graduates.
Rafinha has sharp footwork and a great passing range, similarly to Jack Wilshere, but obviously on a more advanced level, which would make him perfect for Arsenal.
If he has any aspirations of making the World Cup squad, he will need to play regularly. Currently, it seems that isn’t going to happen with Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Denis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Andre Gomes and potentially Sergi Roberto all ahead of him in the pecking order.
If Ernesto Valverde decides the Brazilian isn’t good enough to play for his Barcelona side, he must switch clubs, and Arsenal should be the club who swoop in and offer him regular playing time ahead of a World Cup year.
#3 Leon Goretzka (Schalke 04)
As mentioned previously, a huge dilemma at Arsenal is that they may lose Mesut Ozil, by far their most creative midfielder. Who better to replace him with than Leon Goretzka, a fellow technically gifted German.
Goretzka already has four goals this season, one short of his record tally for a season, after just nine league games. He is clearly in devastating form, scoring six goals for Germany in nine appearances in 2017 too.
In the summer, the German played an important role in Germany winning the Confederations Cup, getting man of the match in the semi-final after scoring two goals, as well as scoring another in the tournament.
The German would be a perfect replacement for Ozil and could potentially offer more goals for the Gunners in the process. He is tall, skilful, and has a tremendous passing range, meaning he would fit in well in North London, and would offer height and strength Arsenal now seem to lack in midfield.
Furthermore, aged 22, Goretzka has a huge future ahead of him and lots of time to develop. If he was to move to Arsenal, it would only enhance his younger years and give him regular football at a top side with regular European football, in comparison to Schalke who have finished sixth, fifth and 10th in their last three seasons, showing lots of inconsistency.
#2 Jean Seri (OGC Nice)
Arsenal were reportedly close to signing Jean Seri in the summer, but a deal never materialised with Nice standing firm and making it clear their player was not for sale.
However, the decision to keep him and ruin Seri’s chances of making a dream move to either Arsenal or Barcelona, has not made Nice any better. After 10 games, they have lost six and sit 14th in Ligue 1, with little chance of replicating last year’s finish of third.
This can only mean Seri will be even more desperate for a move now with his team struggling and him being by far the best player in their squad. With Barcelona having signed Paulinho, along with their many other midfielders, it would be difficult for them to raise the funds to sign the Ivorian, opening the door for Arsenal in January.
Seri, by those who haven’t watched much of him, would be widely recognised as a defensive midfielder because of Arsenal’s interest. But, he has plenty to offer going forward and created 73 chances last season, making him a perfect fit for the Gunners.
With Nice in the position they are in, it will not be as hard for Arsenal to convince Nice or Seri. Snapping the Ivorian up would be a fantastic decision by Wenger, and it would most certainly improve the Gunners' line-up.
#1 Thomas Lemar (AS Monaco)
Thomas Lemar is a player all Arsenal fans were dreaming of signing in the summer, and it seemed certain he was going to arrive in North London at some point, but a deal was never worked out.
With Alexis Sanchez extremely unlikely to sign a new contract, Wenger could be forced to cash in on the Chilean in January, which would allow them to bid for Lemar once again.
Furthermore, lots of people would ask the question, why would he move to Arsenal? However, Monaco have just one point from three Champions League games, and face two more away games to teams they have already been beaten by, suggesting it will be a tough task for them to go through.
This means Monaco would only be able to offer him Europa League football at best if they’re knocked out - the same as Arsenal.
He would be a great signing for the Gunners, and could help take them to the next level and potentially challenge for the league title. He has tremendous ability on the ball, and has great experience at the very top level, with Monaco reaching last year’s UEFA Champions League semi-final.
The Frenchman was apparently keen to make the move early in the summer window, according to numerous sources. Therefore, if the Gunners were to bid in January, who knows, he could be an Arsenal player in 2018.
