Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is preparing a summer move for Fulham winger Alex Kacaniklic, according to reports from the Sunday People.
The Portuguese coach is willing to spend up to £7m on the talented Swede, who joined the Cottagers from Liverpool in 2012 as part of a deal for Paul Konchesky.
AVB may also offer Tom Huddlestone in exchange to sweeten any deal, with the west London club thought to be keen on the imposing midfielder.
The White Hart Lane outfit are believed to have made attacking reinforcements their main priority this term, with injuries to the likes of Aaron Lennon exposing a lack of depth last season.
Kacaniklic is believed to meet AVB’s list of requirements, and the former Chelsea boss is confident that he can slot seamlessly into his squad.
The 21-year-old really announced himself in the Premier League this season, turning in a number of impressive displays to help Fulham secure a solid midtable finish.
Despite his young age, Kacaniklic has already made nine senior appearances for Sweden, and is regarded as on of the nation’s rising talents.
He was deemed to be surplus to requirements at Liverpool, but has blossomed after being given a chance of regular first-team football under Martin Jol.
Tottenham fans, can Alexander Kacaniklic add quality to your squad? Or would you rather see more experienced players coming in?
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Arsenal have never built themselves up in this way in previous summer months, and yet Gonzalo Higuain is deemed too expensive at €37 million – to a group of people of whom the money doesn’t actually belong – and Luis Suarez divides opinion like no other.
The club have been in need of a marquee striker to adequately replace the scoring exploits of Robin van Persie, though despite Arsenal’s heaving cash reserves, this is uncharted territory for them. There will be trepidation, uncertainty and above all mistakes, some of which we’ve already seen. Though perhaps a go-to No.9 isn’t necessarily what’s required, or at least the only option for this summer.
Arsene Wenger attempted to make do with the spending resources he had last summer by spreading the scoring burden left behind by van Persie over Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, and on paper that’s probably the most sensible way of doing it. You’re not going to find a 30-goal-a-season striker simply by looking under a rock, nor will you find one within the price range of a club who, to some of their own supporters, are (or were) living in a transfer age that should now be considered ancient history.
So what’s wrong with that approach this summer? The issue is the club have backed themselves into a corner by Ivan Gazidis promising the world. The club, in the modern era, have never bought a proven, world-class goal scorer (Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkmap, etc, etc were all made at Arsenal), and the insatiable desire to see something and someone of that ilk has reached fever pitch, possibly to the point of no return.
Arsenal’s lofty status in European football doesn’t mean they can spend like most of the oil-rich clubs in England and around Europe. Additionally, Arsenal are not Bayern Munich, able to buy Javi Martinez for €40 million and barely flinch, though those days may be on the horizon soon enough.
I still absolutely do not believe that world-class players cost “world-class” fees, and there is plenty of evidence around Europe to support that notion. But some fans will never be happy unless their club shatters its previous transfer record – in the case of Arsenal, they better bring a really big hammer.
But bringing in a collection of scoring forwards and midfielders can do just as much good to a club’s credentials as title contenders as one 30-plus-goal striker. One world-class striker doesn’t make a team. Radamel Falcao – and yes, there are surrounding issues in La Liga – couldn’t guarantee Atletico Madrid a league title, nor could the Sergio Aguero/Diego Forlan partnership. Van Persie at Arsenal is another example.
It’s simple maths that not every team in the world can have a high-end striker capable of 30 goals each season, so somewhere there has to be a compromise.
And here’s the thing: Arsenal aren’t exactly Juventus. Podolski (16), Giroud (17) and Theo Walcott (22) combined for better numbers than Mirko Vucinic (14), Alessandro Matri (10) and Fabio Quagliarella (13), yet Antonio Conte’s side still had the unity and quality in depth to land back-to-back league titles. A good defence and goalkeeper was the foundation.
But each of Arsenal’s current forwards are capable of scoring double figures again and probably above 20, Walcott certainly if used in the right way. And this is absolutely not a claim that Arsenal can go at it again next season without another striker – they just don’t need to focus their resources on just one name, where goal scoring additions from midfield would also be a plus.
The problem is the club have already missed out on a player who ticks boxes in both categories, cheap (relatively speaking) and a reputable name to appease the masses. Mario Gomez would have been the ideal addition to an arsenal (a happy coincidental pun) that can at times be a little lacking.
Yet Edin Dzeko may be a name who becomes available too, and he’d certainly cost a lot less than Suarez. While I don’t believe Tevez was an option, his minimal fee and upside is another fine example, Fernando Llorente too. But I’m just thinking out loud now. Yet to carry on that train of thought: Leandro Damiao, Jackson Martinez?
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The thing is, for Arsenal, I don’t believe one striker is the be all and end all. Luis Suarez, for example, won’t shore up the defence, nor will he put a screaming halt to all the injuries the club pick up every season. People want Suarez because of what he represents, and they’re willing to throw away or even defend all the misdemeanour’s of the past. But bringing in, say, three additions, each of whom capable of scoring in double figures, would be just as beneficial as one name capable of scoring 30.
Should Arsenal focus their resources on more than one goal scorer this summer, or is a player like Suarez enough?
Fabian Delph believes Aston Villa team mate Gabriel Agbonlahor deserves an England recall, according to the Daily Mail.
The 27-year-old is playing some of his finest football under Paul Lambert, and Delph believes his current form would scare any defender in the world at present.
Agbonlahor scored a superb solo goal in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Southampton, beating two players with his pace before coolly slotting the ball past the Saints keeper, a goal that manager Paul Lambert described as ‘world class’.
Agbonlahor has won three England caps, the last of which came four years ago, but team mate Delph believes he is worthy of a call up to Roy Hodgson’s side.
“We have a number of players who could be in with a chance not just me and Gabby,” Delph said.
“Matthew Lowton, Ashley Westwood and others but for us it is all about performing at club level.
“Gabby has shown everything [against Southampton]. He showed pace, led from the front. Agbonlahor playing up front is scary for any centre-back in the world, let alone in the Premier League.
“He was brilliant and it was nice to see him out there. It was like seeing him two or three years ago when he was playing up front week in, week out and giving defenders a hard time.
“He is a close friend of mine as well, so it was nice to see him get a goal and it was good to get the assist for it.
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“If something like that was to happen then that would be great.
“I would never question anyone’s selection, though. If I am selected to play then I would go and give 100 per cent. If not then I will keep trying to perform for my club.”
See who England will face in Brazil on our World Cup Draw LIVE Blog below!
The World Cup draw isn’t just about finding out who you will be playing in the tournament in six months time. Managers learn one of the most important things: where they will be playing.
The match venues are so crucial for teams in the group stage. Behind the scenes in the FA, workers are desperately trying to configure travel times, local weather, and where to base their team. Last time out, England players said “they were bored” in between matches during their time at their Rustenburg base in South Africa, so this year Hodgson’s side will be hoping that Greg Dyke and company find somewhere more suitable to their needs.
With the tournament being held in Brazil, the locations were even more important. If England were hosting the tournament, the only real differences between venues would be the travel links, and maybe some evening entertainment.
But in Brazil, everything is magnified. Suddenly teams could have to fly over a 1000 miles to reach their stadium, to a city reaching 30 degrees in the daytime. Suddenly the group you are in is arguably as important, possibly more important, than the teams that join you!
So with that in mind, lets have a look at where England will be playing, and the conditions they will experience.
Estadio Amazonia – Manaus
England’s first game of the World Cup will be against Italy in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Originally built in 1970 as the Estadio Vivaldao but demolished in 2009, the new ground was due to be finished by FIFA’s deadline by the end of December. However, it appears to be one of the many projects to be behind schedule. Costing the public £186million, 95% of the material from the old stadium will be reused, in this lookalike of Beijing’s Bird Nest stadium.
The Three Lions will kick off at 6pm local time, meaning fans that don’t fly out to watch the match will have to stay up until 11pm to see their country. The fans back home will be grateful that the kick off time has been moved from 2am English time in order for both sets of fans to watch the game at a reasonable(ish) time, however it may effect the players. With daytime temperatures averaging at 31 degrees, both sets of teams will be hoping that has dropped even slightly by the time they kick off. With a 40% chance of thunderstorms, and a likely 80% humidity, expect a fair few drinks breaks! Fortunately for Roy Hodgson, Italy won’t be too used to the climate either.
But with the fantastic support England get, expect every one of the 42,374 seats to be filled, no matter the weather. If you’re watching from home, then set your alarm clocks for a 11pm kick off on June 14th.
Arena de Sao Paulo – Sao Paulo
A stadium that has been in the news recently, and for all the wrong reasons, the future home of Corinthians is a complete new build ahead of the World Cup. However, at the end of November, the stadium was said to be “94% complete”, until a construction crane collapsed onto part of the stadium, killing two workers. The stadium is now set to be completed in February.
England play their second match of the tournament there against Uruguay, just five days after facing Italy. The stadium will hold 65, 807 fans during the tournament, with 20,000 of those seats temporarily placed specifically for the competition. A much cooler climate awaits Roy Hodgson after Manaus, as well as a more sociable kick off time for fans back home, 8pm to be exact. Uruguay are obviously used to playing in the South American climate and will be a huge threat for the Three Lions, but at least the temperatures aren’t too unknown for Hodgson’s side, unlike Manaus.
Estadio Mineirao – Belo Horizonte
England’s final group game, but hopefully not their last of the tournament, the Three Lions play Costa Rica at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte, a stadium with a capacity of 62,547. The stadium is one of the most historic venues in Brazilian football, and has been greatly refurbished, with the stadium now more accessible, and the pitch lowered. This allowed for the running track to be removed, and more seats to be added.
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Temperatures are likely to peak at 25 degrees, so a manageable temperature for the English side, who could potentially go into this game needing a win should things not go to plan against Italy or Uruguay. The match will kick off at 5pm English time, which is 1pm local time. The stadium normally asks the question ‘Atletico Mineiro or Cruzeiro?’ the two teams that call the Estadio Mineirao home, but on the 24th June it will be ‘Costa Rica or England?’
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Fulham have moved to replace manager Rene Meulensteen with Felix Magath in a bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The Cottagers are currently rooted to the foot of the table after a disappointing season, but they have shown signs of improvement lately with a shock 2-2 draw away to Manchester United and a narrow defeat at the hands of Liverpool.
But, Fulham’s owners acted swiftly to dismiss the Dutchman and draft in Magath as first-team coach.
A statement from Fulham’s owner Shahid Khan on the club’s official website read:
“I’m very happy to welcome Felix Magath to Fulham Football Club. Felix is an accomplished manager with multiple honours in the Bundesliga and a hunger to replicate his success with Fulham in the Barclays Premier League.
“I’m especially impressed with the reputation Felix has for coming into clubs at difficult times, often late in the season, and lifting them to their potential and beyond. Felix knows that is precisely the task awaiting him at Fulham, and he made it abundantly clear that he wants and is ready for the opportunity.
“Our Club has shown promise in recent matches, but the fact is we haven’t won a league match since 1st January. Given our form, we can no longer merely hope that our fortunes will finally turn. And with 12 matches remaining and at least four points separating us from safety, we certainly can no longer post empty results. Action was required.”
Magath has a wealth of managerial experience and has enjoyed spells with the likes of Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg, Schalke and Werder Bremen.
Meulensteen had taken over from Martin Jol earlier this season, but the ex-Manchester United coach was unable to alter the poor form of his predecessor.
For too long Arsenal fans had to battle against the reminders, both pointless and spiteful, of how long it had been since the club last won a trophy. Saturday’s FA Cup win was a watershed moment, a release of built-up tension, anxiety and hurt.
There wasn’t any need for discussion about transfer activity or in-fighting on the future of the manager. Saturday – in fact the entire weekend – was a feel-good moment for the supporters as well as the players, many of whom had waited with great impatience for their first slice of silverware.
The unity among the supporters was fantastic to see. The joy of the cup win stretched well beyond north London, with fans across the globe sending in their stills of how they saw out the final and what transpired following.
There’s an argument to say the bad times are necessary. Under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal’s supporters have been spoilt, both in bringing home titles and in at times exquisite football. But the last nine years have been painful, some moments well beyond any reasonable explanation. There have been cup losses, the departure of club captains; that haunting night in Paris. This past weekend put those moments and memories into perspective and gave them purpose. You need the lows to really appreciate the highs – and how Arsenal fans have been enjoying this particular high.
There are still unnecessary jabs, of course. “It’s only the FA Cup,” “look at how poor you were on the day,” “it’s a one-off that won’t lead to anything else in the near future.” Mesut Ozil has drawn his critics once again. But it’s all been water off a duck’s back. Arsenal supporters are lapping it up and rightly so. There’s a trophy in the Emirates cabinet, finally. There’s now vindication for the new stadium; the starting point and finale of the trophy parade on Sunday couldn’t have been more fitting.
The relentless tirade against the club has come to an end. The remaining pieces of that nine-year-wait nonsense and all that came with it has been wrapped up and thrown into the sea. Many other clubs in England and Europe have used domestic cups as a starting point for further success, and that fact isn’t lost on Arsenal at this time. The barren spell is over, the period that facilitated, rightly or wrongly, the questioning of a manager who has done so much for the club. Arsenal have finally rediscovered the taste of tangible success, the critics have been silence, for now, and pride and self belief have been restored.
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It may only be a domestic cup, a couple of steps down from the grand prizes. But Arsenal and its fans deserve to sip from the FA Cup long into the summer.
Last week, Jack Wilshere was caught by paparazzi chugging on a fag in a Las Vegas swimming pool, making it the second time in just twelve months he’s been spotted sucking on a cancer stick, and rubbing further salt into the wound that was statistically England’s worst World Cup campaign in their history.
The Arsenal midfielder’s actions have sparked an interesting debate regarding what standards should be expected from players in the modern game.
Indeed, having a bi-annual cigarette will do your body little, if any actual harm. What’s more, evidence suggests that rather than inhaling an entire Mayfair Superking, Wilshere was merely having a drag on his brother’s – he was on holiday after all. Thirty years ago, not lighting up on an evening out would probably have sparked questions on the terraces about your sexuality. But that was thirty years ago.
Nowadays, footballers are meant to be the pinnacle of athleticism, their whole bodies designed and distorted into footballing machines. They’re also meant to be -whether they like it or not – role models for the younger generations.
More than the 22 year-old’s health, it’s the principle of Wilshere’s occasional smoking lust that causes the most concern. Just as with Kyle Walker’s hippy-crack debacle, that kind of thing can wait until mid-to-late-thirties retirement. Until then, your body belongs to your club, your team-mates and the fans.
Bearing Jack Wilshere’s age in mind, perhaps he can be forgiven. Arsene Wenger, for the second time, appears to be taking the softly, softly approach by limiting the disciplinary process to a stern talking-to.
But the incident does highlight several lingering concerns regarding Wilshere, most prevalently that factors other than his ability will inevitably see him fail to realise his full potential.
WANT MORE? >> Arsenal transfer news | Latest transfer news
Paul Scholes hit the nail on the head in March when he launched a scathing critique of the England international live on Sky Sports. “He does not look any better a player now than when he was 17,” argued the retired maestro, who is more than worth listening to when it comes to all things central midfield.
Of course, recurring injuries have been a major factor. Wilshere missed the entire 2011/12 campaign with a stress fracture in his ankle and spent the following season reduced to a bit-part role out of fear of aggregating his injury further. So bearing in mind he’s only actually enjoyed three seasons at full health since his 17th birthday, perhaps a lack of natural progression is understandable.
That being said, in that time period, what part of Wilshere’s game has actually improved? His five goals across all competitions last term bettered his previous best of two, yet it’s hardly an improvement worth noting for an apparent No.10. Likewise, despite being more commonly deployed in deeper roles of late, the 22 year-old’s defensive game remains as ill-disciplined and non-anticipatory as ever, having averaged just 1.3 tackles and 0.4 interceptions per match last season. He’s not made himself quicker or stronger either, or shown any greater understanding of movement, positioning and tactics.
Indeed, I would be prepared to argue that within the three years between the present day and Wilshere’s first full Arsenal campaign, that won him the PFA Young Player of the Year award, Arsenal’s Player of the Year award and a place in the Premier League Team of the Season, he’s in fact become a lazier player.
When the Three Lions midfielder first burst onto the scene, he was ferocious and fearless with and without the ball, prepared to take on any size of defender and unstoppably determined to carry the ball as close to the opposition penalty area as possible. In addition to his technical qualities, that admittedly are still prevalent today, it was surging runs through the middle of the park that became Wilshere’s trademark, especially when compared to other England internationals at the time.
But that ambition, that mixture of wit, talent, mobility and determination, leading to many claiming the Gunners youngster was worthy of a place in Barcelona’s legendary midfield, has been swapped for a significantly more passive style.
WANT MORE? >> Arsenal transfer news | Latest transfer news
Rather than beating his man, theatrically claiming a dubious free-kick, playing on his slender 5 foot 7 frame, has somehow become an acceptable contribution. Rather than committing to tackles or closing down space, holding position whilst Arsenal’s defence are forced to make challenges has become Wilshere’s norm.
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Rather than driving the game forward or grabbing it by the scruff of the neck, as the Arsenal midfielder once did regularly, he now closer resembles a cog in a machine – his task important, yet himself easily replaceable. Wilshere has not been intrinsic to Arsenal’s successes, or England’s successes for that matter, for some time.
This laziness, this lack of progression, is epitomised perfectly by the Gunners starlet’s smoking infatuation. It takes willpower to quit a habit – not that Wilshere actually has one – and it takes willpower to decline the pressures of your peers, just as it takes willpower to improve yourself as a footballer, just as it takes willpower to dominate a football match.
In every respect , Wilshere has shown none over the last few years. On and off the pitch, he’s let previously high standards slip as if he already feels entitled to succeed.
Don’t get me wrong, the 22 year-old is a sensational talent, but the smoking incident illustrates how a lack of dedication will inevitably limit his growth as a footballer.
Welcome to the first north London derby of the 2014/15 season, brought to you by Arsenal’s official car and van hire partner Europcar.Both sides have endured a fitful start to the season, though the Gunners arguably come into the tie at the Emirates as the in-form side, having put Aston Villa to the sword in their last Premier League outing courtesy of an inspired Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil.The corresponding fixture last season saw Olivier Giroud’s goal prove the difference as Arsene Wenger’s side narrowly edged out Spurs 1-0. That result ran in stark contrast to what is usually the most explosive game in the Premier League calendar.A win for Arsenal would cement their place amongst the division’s early high-fliers and put them in great stead for an October that sees them travel to front-runners Chelsea and undertake two tough Champions League fixtures against Galatasaray and Anderlecht.Follow all the action from Saturday’s late kick-off LIVE here:
4 – Arsenal have four of the last five north London derbies
1 – Spurs have won just one of their last 21 Premier League away games at Arsenal
3 – Arsenal won all three of their meetings with Spurs last season
25 – Arsenal took 25 points from their 10 London derbies in the Premier League last season (W8 D1 L1) and defeated Crystal Palace on the opening weekend this season.
6 – Six of Tottenham’s seven league points this season have come in London derbies.
4 – If there are four goals in this game then it will become the outright highest scoring fixture in Premier League history (currently 126 goals).
7 – Seven points from five games is Tottenham’s slowest start since gaining just two under Juande Ramos in 2008-09.
10 Â- Emmanuel Adebayor has scored more goals than any other player in north London derby history (8 for Arsenal and 2 for Spurs).
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These days, the race for the sack is almost as exciting as the race for the title, with constant speculation as to whom might be next for the chop.
As a football manager, you do not tend to be given much time to make an impact at your club and we see a lot of teams that will end up averaging one manager per season, sometimes more.
The two most likely managers to face the sack at the moment are Alan Pardew and Sam Allardyce, despite both managers having done a great job at their respective clubs and staying at the helm for more than just one season.
The heat is perhaps a little hotter on Pardew over at Newcastle at the moment after the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Southampton. During the game, chants of “Pardew out” and “It’s never your fault” could be heard and it felt like the atmosphere was quite a tense one with the travelling supporters piling the pressure on the team from the first minute of the game.
The Geordies currently sit at the bottom of the Premiership table with only two points from four games, which is part of a very poor run that has seen them collect only five points from a possible thirty six. Reports suggest that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is considering pulling the plug early on the manager’s eight year contract and he could go as early as before the next game at Hull, with an ironic twist in the tale that sees present Hull manager Steve Bruce as favourite to replace Pardew at St Jame’s Park.
Another manager that has been feeling a lot of pressure recently is West Ham’s Sam Allardyce. He has been quite the unpopular figure at Upton Park from day one with some of the fans despite doing a fantastic job for the club so far. He got them promoted at the first time of asking and managed to gain stability for the team in the Premier League since their return, despite flirting with the drop at times last season.
The main issue with Allardyce has been surrounding his style of football and team sheet selection more than actual results themselves, a very different type of problem than the one Pardew is facing up north with the results and lack of points being the main issue. Big Sam has always been known for his route one, boring football, which sees him try and keep a clean sheet and hope for the odd goal to win the game, a system which does not really fit in with the Hammers way of playing and traditions.
Until the thrilling 2-2 draw with Hull last Monday night, it was looking like Allardyce could be in big trouble and a lot hinged on the game against the Tigers. The board of directors at West Ham set out a new plan for the manager to stick to after a summer of heavy spending in the transfer market. It was made clear to the gaffer that he had to play a more attacking, exciting brand of football whilst getting better results than last season as well.
It was feared Allardyce would stick to his usual formation and stick to the same players who were not performing for the Hammers rather than use the immense new talent at his disposal, but he proved everyone wrong with a fine attacking display of entertaining football, indicating that there is a promising turn around of style and results to come at Upton Park.
If they avoid the chop, both managers have a lot of hard work still to do to show their employers and their clubs’ respective supporters that they are worthy of the job. Pardew looks the most likely to go with his team rooted at the bottom of the table and should he stay to manage his side against Hull at the weekend, the minimum result will surely have to be three points to Newcastle. The axe is looming for the Magpies’ boss and his time is running out. The club are in big danger of entering a relegation scrap unless their fortunes are turned around.
As for Allardyce, he might have a little longer. If his line-up and style of play is similar to the one at Hull then he’ll no doubt start winning over the very fans calling for his head, but the Hammers face two big tests in the shape of Liverpool and Manchester United in their next two fixtures, which doesn’t give him much hope.
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So unless both managers start improving soon, then West Ham and Newcastle will be back in the market for a new manager.
A rumour that seemingly just doesn’t want to die, Arsenal have once again been linked with a move for Real Madrid star Sami Khedira.
Admittedly, with just six months remaining on the Germany international’s contract by the time we reach the new year, it’s not every day a Premier League club gets the chance to snap up a World Cup and Champions League winner at a bargain rate.
But we at Football FanCast believe the Gunners could be walking into a trap – Khedira, although a talented midfielder, does not address the north London outfit’s vital needs, as we shall soon explain.
And in addition to our explanation, we’ve come up with FOUR alternatives to the Bernabeu star.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON KHEDIRA TO REVEAL ALL
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WHY KHEDIRA ISN’T WHAT ARSENAL NEED
There are certainly some misconceptions about Sami Khedira in England, especially in regards to how and where plays. He’s commonly considered a defensive midfielder, but the evidence simply doesn’t add up.
Take this heatmap taken from Germany’s 7-1 romping of Brazil in the World Cup semi-finals for example:
As you can see, his energy and power were used more in a box-to-box capacity, providing influence at both ends of the pitch and regularly pressing Brazil’s backline. The holding role, which Arsenal will assumedly be purchasing Khedira for, was adopted by Bastian Schweinsteiger at the World Cup, as well as Xabi Alonso over the last few seasons at Real Madrid.
Likewise, take a look at Khedira’s statistics from 2012/13 – his last full season without injury – compared to some of Europe’s other top defensive midfielders:
As you can see, the 27 year-old ranks the lowest in all categories, epitomising the argument that he’s more of a box-to-boxer than a genuine holding player. This is something Arsene Wenger has already commented on; “We never came close to signing Khedira. Jack Wilshere is back fit and in midfield we already have offensive players and quite a few box-to-box players,” remarked the Frenchman in early August.
A Champions League and World Cup winner, there’s no doubt Khedira has the natural physical assets and the intelligence to transition his game to a more defensive role.
But Arsenal don’t need another pet project in holding midfield, following on from Mikel Arteta and more recently, Abou Diaby. They need an established, proven specialist, born for the anchoring role who can hit the ground running. So what are the alternatives?
MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN
In terms of defensive midfielders that have already earned their stripes in the Premier League, none strike the balance between quality and availability better than Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin.
Before the start of the current campaign, no player had made more tackles, 259, and more interceptions, 207, in the Premier League since Southampton’s top flight ascension in summer 2012.
That was enough to earn Schneiderlin a place in France’s World Cup squad and he’s started the current campaign in a similar vein, making it into the Premier League’s top ten tacklers:
He’s also added a new string to his bow, netting three times already to better his entire output from last season, including this curler against Newcastle:
//www.youtube.com/embed/anRtvwoN4iI?rel=0
Here’s how he compared to Khedira and Arsenal’s other holding midfield options last season:
Southampton reportedly rate Schneiderlin at around £27million, but still just 24 years of age, the potential to get good-value-for-money is there by tying the Frenchman down for his best years.
Here’s another look at Schneiderlin in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/gELm5Gb3ACU?rel=0
JOHN OBI MIKEL
A considerably less popular choice than the majority of the names on this list – even Chelsea fans have rather diverse opinions on holding midfielder John Obi Mikel.
But the Nigerian international’s simplistic-yet-effective manner of protecting the back four and moving the ball forward is exactly what Arsenal need to anchor their offensive-orientated midfield.
And his suitability to the English top flight is undoubted, having made 208 Premier League appearances since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2006. Mikel’s appeared in some of the most important fixtures in recent Chelsea history too, including Champions League and FA Cup finals.
He doesn’t feature in the Blues’ starting Xi too often nowadays, so here’s how he compares to Khedira and Arsenal’s current holding options based on per-90-minute metrics:
Mikel also provided this rather incredible backheel assist to Diego Costa amid Chelsea’s 6-3 romping of Everton earlier this season:
Chelsea came close to selling the midfielder to Galatasaray during the summer, with Mikel even claiming ‘all that’s left is for the clubs to reach an agreement’ over fees in August, so logic suggests the Blues will be prepared to sell in January if their apparent £10million valuation is met.
By no means a star-studded candidate, but that in turn epitomises the 27 year-old’s understated style.
JAVI MARTINEZ
Football – Bayern Munich v Arsenal – UEFA Champions League Second Round Second Leg – Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany – 13/14 – 11/3/14Javi Martinez – Bayern MunichMandatory Credit: Action Images / John SibleyEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Already mentioned in passing in this article, signing Bayern Munich star Javi Martinez would show that Arsenal really mean business.
The Spain international emerged as one of the most impressive holding players in world football as he helped the Bavarians claim the 2013 Champions League title during his first season the Bay Arena. Here’s a look at some of his highlights thus far for the German giants:
//www.youtube.com/embed/UNwP_jfvzsg?rel=0
But the 6 foot 5 monolith has never quite taken Pep Guardiola’s fancy, regularly pushed back into his secondary position of centre-half under the former Barcelona boss and making thirteen less appearances than the year previous last season.
Following an injury that will see him out until the new year, Bayern signed the likeminded Xabi Alonso during the summer and Roma defender Mehdi Benatia, so even when fit, Martinez will have a tough task breaking back into Bayern’s first team.
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Thus, the stage is set for an abrupt departure, provided the 26 year-old is fit by the time the transfer market reopens in January. Here’s how he compared to Arsenal’s other defensive options last season:
But if Martinez were to become available in the new year, a plethora of top clubs will be interested in his services. He’s been linked to Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG before to name a few.
ALLAN
Udinese starlet Allan may not be a household name in England, or for that matter Italy or Brazil. But following a second successful campaign in the Serie A outfit’s first team, his stock is dramatically rising throughout Europe.
Indeed, the former Brazil U20 has averaged an incredible five tackles per match this season. To put that into perspective, he’s been the sixth-most effective ball-winner on the continent:
He was also Serie A’s second-best tackler last year:
Whether the 23 year-old’s form would quite transition over to the Premier League remains to be seen. He measures in at just 5 foot 8 and is definitively more progressive than your average English top flight holding midfielder, averaging 1.8 successful dribbles per match this season. Here’s a look at Allan in action for former club Vasco da Gama:
//www.youtube.com/embed/7FgkEGYnGi4?rel=0
But he’s adapting to European football well and has been tipped by many as a future star. There’s even reports Italy are trying to draft him in to their national team.
Allan comes with big risk but even bigger reward. His pitbull mentality, blended with his south American flair, could be exactly what Arsenal need in front of their back four.