Defensive Midfielder: Arsenal targets by numbers

Lars Bender

Lars Bender

Club – Bayer Leverkusen

Age – 24

Height – 184cm

Weight – 77kg

League Apps – 33

Value - £22-£25m

Tackles p/game	Interceptions p/game	Fouls conceded p/game	Dribbled past p/game	Blocked shots p/game
4.1 (135)	2.8 (83)	1.7 (57)	2 (66)	0.3 (9)
Key Passes p/game	Dispossessed p/game	Turnovers p/game	Pass success %	Through Ball success
1 (32)	1.5 (51)	0.8 (26)	79.3	0.1 (2/8)

For quite some time now, Lars Bender has been a personal favourite of mine, and when I heard the rumours linking us with a bid for the German, I nearly wet myself with excitement.

However, of course, that’s the Arsenal fan in me that’s never learnt from previous windows to not get too excited. Nevertheless it is important to be linked to names such as Bender and a move for the German is completely realistic.

Coming off the back of a fantastic season playing defensive midfield for Leverkusen, makes him an ideal candidate for Arsenal. Bender certainly puts himself about, making more tackles this season than anybody in the Bundesliga, as well as more than anybody else on this shortlist.

His style would certainly be suited to the Premier League, not lacking in speed or strength and has the ability to pass a football. Bender is what you would call a natural Defensive Midfielder, he knows the role and loves the role and is a student of the game.

Verdict – Bender would be my personal choice for the role, would be surprised if we aren’t going back in for him, he would be a huge signing.