There are only three days left before the transfer window is slammed shut for another Summer, it has been a relatively successful window for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal however many fans still believe the North London outfit are still short of a few players that will make them serious contenders for this season’s Premier League Title. Top of the agenda for many fans is a holding midfield player, this has been a problem position for Wenger’s side for a few seasons now and will surely need addressing before Monday 1st September. New club Captain Mikel Arteta is now injured which leaves Arsenal very light in this position with only Mathieu Flamini a recognisable defensive midfielder.
There have been a multitude of names linked with moves to the Emirates this summer, however rumours of moves for William Carvalho and Sami Khedira have cooled in recent weeks as it looks like the pair could be staying at their clubs for another season. One name that is back on the scene is Brazil holding midfielder Luiz Gustavo, the former Bayern Munich man nearly moved to the Emirates last Summer in a £17.2 million deal before deciding on a move to fellow German side Wolfsburg upon advice given by then Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Scolari was insistent that staying in the Bundesliga was better for Gustavo as Scolari was not sure Gustavo would hold down a regular place in the Arsenal team, Gustavo’s choice was predictable with the player wanting to make Scorlari’s World Cup squad.
Wolsburg’s Managing Director has rubbished reports of Gustavo’s departure saying he is happy in the Bundesliga, there is a minimum fee clause in Gustavo’s contract expected to be around £26 million which seems like a lot of money for a holding midfield player but needs must and time is running out for Wenger, he needs to act quick to beat the deadline. I would expect the lure of playing in the biggest league in World Football along with the draw of Champions League football would be too much for Gustavo to turn down. Wolfsburg’s MD has also gone on record speaking of the club’s interest in Arsenal’s German Striker Lukas Podolski but has confirmed he expects Podolski to stay at the Emirates this season. It had been mooted that fan favourite Podolski would be part of a deal to bring Gustavo to the Emirates it now looks like any deal will be 100% cash.
Would Gustavo be good enough? well the Brazilian’s Bundesliga statistics are impressive and are up there with the very best in the league, he is on par with German brothers Lars and Sven Bender, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira. Gustavo keeps thing simple, he shields the back four which allows the more attack minded players ahead of him to do what they do best. He is the kind of midfield man that Arsenal have been crying out for. There are sure to be many twists and turns as the window comes to a close but one things is certain, if this position is not filled the natives will be restless once again.