Despite Arsenal’s dire need of central midfield additions, the winter transfer window largely birthed rumours linking their talisman Alexis Sanchez with an Emirates Stadium exit.
The rumours have, in turn, birthed reports suggesting they had already lined up replacements.
Heavily-linked
Fresh reports from Telegraph Sports revealed on Friday night that Marco Reus would top Arsenal’s wish list in the event of their losing their 28-year-old in-form winger.
The Gunners only recently overcome the restraints of the stadium debts after years and years of Marouane Chamakh and Sebastien Squillaci, shelling out unprecedented transfer fee for world beaters Mesut Ozil, Petr Cech, Granit Xhaka, Shkodran Mustafi, and their Chilean eager beaver.
However, doubts over Arsene Wenger’s long-term future, a boost in the competitiveness of the Premier League and interest from European heavyweights look likely to stop them from discovering their final piece of the puzzle that will help them fill the somewhat barren trophy cabinet.
Need to keep Sanchez
However, given the recent reports, it looks as they will be back to square one shortly.
They ought to look to extend Sanchez’s contract that runs only until summer of 2018 to be in a position to build from scratch again while also looking to bring the Borussia Dortmund man on board.
Their wantaway Copa America winner signed from Barcelona for £36 million.
After an immediate impact, his influence continues to skyrocket even after one Good Boys banner, 38 assists, 59 goals and 122 appearances.
His familiarity with the English game, footballing prowess and – often questioned – chemistry with the rest of the first team makes him a component of the team with which the Arsenal manager would never dare to part ways.
To tie Premier League’s leading scorer, who has been reportedly scouted by Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan and Chelsea, will definitely not be child’s play.
However, the protagonist of Wenger’s latest strikerless winning formula should see his demands – even if he demands Atom and Humber replace Gunnersaurus – met as finding a like-for-like replacement will add to the uncertainty surrounding the club that is on the verge of being stable after ages.
Worth breaking the bank for
To complement his –oft-censured and oft-ridiculed – drive that makes him throw his hands up in despair when his peers are not on the same wavelength, the Londoners shall bring down the 27-year-old.
In spite of his woeful injury record, breaking the bank for him seems plausible as only a handful of players can adorn Wenger’s left flank as he can.
Although Arsenal boast many a left winger, nobody stands a chance against the German international given his prowess.
Drawback
Promising youngster Alex Iwobi may sense the only possible drawback of a move for him, but such is the sacrifice a club of the stature of Arsenal ought to make in the event of their choosing to be on par with Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City both in terms of results and international marketability in a league that is — in more ways than one — more competitive than any other footballing league.
Written by Praveen Paramasivam
Follow Praveen on Twitter @49Praveen
Like O-Posts on Facebook
You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts