Arsenal‘s January transfer plans appear to be taking shape, as manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly a step closer to signing talented young midfielder Krystian Bielik. But the Gunners boss may find it tougher to swing a deal for Newcastle United‘s midfield powerhouse Moussa Sissoko.
At least Wenger can swell the winter coffers by parting ways with work-shy forward Lukas Podolski. The Germany international is currently heavily linked with a move to Inter Milan.
But Bielik‘s seemingly imminent arrival in north London is the best place to start with the latest round of transfer speculation:
Bielik Just One Week Away from Arsenal Deal
Legia Warsaw’s teenage prodigy Bielik is just one week away from signing for Arsenal, after accepting the club’s invitation to attend the Premier League clash with Queens Park Rangers. That’s according to Legionisci (h/t Sport Witness), suggesting a fee of between €1.5 and €2 million has been agreed.
The same report also carries quotes from Bielik talking up the possible move: “If I go it’s not to be more in the media, but just to fulfil dreams and fight for a place in the line-up. I’m not saying that at once I’ll be in the Arsenal starting XI, but I would like to be an important and positive figure in the eyes of coach Wenger.”
Bielik is obviously not short of confidence or ambition. Arsenal’s interest also appears concrete, with strong links present for well over a month.
Yet the real question is how much can the 16-year-old really help the Gunners at a problem position? Defensive midfield has been a shaky position ever since Gilberto Silva was moved on back in 2008.
B/R’s Ryan Bailey and Janusz Michallik recently identified a defensive midfielder as a priority target in this window:
Linking Arsenal to defensive midfielders makes perfect sense when the current squad doesn’t have a player with the physical attributes and defensive willingness to effectively shield the back four.
Spanish veteran Mikel Arteta is probably the best present choice for this crucial role. However, the 32-year-old is no robust destroyer. While his cerebral qualities are valuable, Arteta has also been blighted by injury problems this term.
Wenger recently stated the ex-Everton man won’t be back in action until January, per David Hytner of the Guardian. That means an extra dose of Mathieu Flamini, the tenacious but erratic and positionally unsound Frenchman.
What Wenger really needs is a natural defensive midfielder. Bielik fits the mold as a budding young star who’s even drawn comparisons to former Gunners ace Patrick Vieira, according to Metro writer Lee Hurley.
More important than any lofty comparisons, though, Bielik‘s versatility could provide immediate help to the Gunners. Earlier this month, London Evening Standard reporter James Olley detailed how Arsenal are intrigued by Bielik‘s ability to play two positions: “Bielik has made just six appearances for Legia—including a Europa League debut against Trabzonspor earlier this month—and can play as a defensive midfielder but has also been scouted as a potential centre-back.”
It’s well known that Wenger entered this season with only three senior centre-backs: Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and summer signing Calum Chambers.
But a lingering Achilles problem for Koscielny and other assorted injuries at the back have forced Wenger to shift players into the middle. Full-backs Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal have both been deployed as makeshift central defenders.
Wenger has also expressed concern over how often 19-year-old Chambers has played during his first season at the club, per Daily Mail reporter Matt Barlow. Adding another player with at least the potential to operate at the back, certainly wouldn’t hurt. Wenger loves to remake a player into a success in a new role.
However, while there’s nothing wrong with indulging in securing a bright young talent like Bielik, many Gunners fans will probably hope for more established new recruits this January.
One such target who could elude Wenger is Sissoko.
Sissoko Happy at Newcastle
Magpies midfield talisman Sissoko has apparently put the breaks on his own attempts to leave Newcastle. The 25-year-old France international has instead expressed satisfaction with his current club, according to Mirror writer Ed Malyon:
The coach considers me an important part of the group, particularly because of my international status an equally down to my good performances for the team since arriving at Newcastle.
I am very happy with where I am right now.
Sometimes I have even been handed the captain’s armband, and thus I am very satisfied with my role here.
This could be a spanner in the works for Wenger‘s January agenda. The Gunners chief had been credited with seeking a £15 million deal to sign Sissoko this winter, per Martin Hardy of The Sunday Times (subscription required).
Of course, Sissoko‘s latest comments needn’t be the death knell for any potential Arsenal interest or bid. In fact, they could just as easily be the player’s way of calming the waters after he recently openly expressed his desire to move away.
London Evening Standard writer Simon Johnson reported how Sissoko identified Arsenal as his “dream club,” while stating his desire to “play Champions League football.”
It was one of the more explicit “come and get me pleas,” even by modern football’s standards.
However, whatever Sissoko‘s motives for his recent about turn, he represents the ideal January target for the Gunners. He’s certainly not an anchor man, but Sissoko has the strength and athletic dynamism the current Arsenal midfield ranks lack.
Most often, those qualities have seen him deployed in forward areas by Magpies boss Alan Pardew. Sissoko has played on the right flank, as a No. 10 and even as a de facto striker.
However, he seems destined for a more withdrawn role. The former Toulouse man is stout enough to break up play but also loves to drive forward.
At his best, Sissoko boasts the box-to-box qualities only Aaron Ramsey gives this Arsenal squad. Wenger could certainly quickly reshape the rugged, but technically assured Sissoko into a Vieira-like figure.
Arsenal’s legendary colossus was too often wrongly labelled as purely a defensive midfield. In reality, Vieira was the fearless engine that fuelled and powered Wenger‘s best teams by seamlessly linking together defence and attack.
Sissoko has that potential, along with ample Premier League experience and Champions League eligibility. This is a player who wouldn’t need a transition period.
If Sissoko is a target, Wenger shouldn’t waste any time concluding a deal. He might even recoup part of his outlay by waving goodbye to Podolski.
Inter Milan Close to Podolski Deal
Inter Milan appear primed to end the uncomfortable relationship between Arsenal and Podolski. Terms for a deal have even been agreed, per Italian publication Corriere dello Sport (h/t talkSPORT):
Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski is in advanced talks with Inter Milan over a move in January, according to reports in Italy.
The Gunners forward has been tracked by the Italian giants for some time and Roberto Mancini is close to tying up a deal to sign the German international on loan.
Serie A duo Juventus and Roma have also been linked with the 29-year-old hitman, but it appears Inter have won the race for his signature.
It’s fair to say Podolski has experienced a rather checkered spell at Arsenal since joining the Gunners in 2012. While he’s found goals relatively easy to come by, the German has failed to make himself a regular in Wenger‘s teams.
An inconsistent work rate is the main reason. Podolski has rarely shown the energy or application to make the left flank his own. Attempts to deploy him as a more natural centre-forward were undone by his surprisingly limited movement.
These factors have contributed to an apparent lack of trust from Wenger. The Frenchman has granted Podolski just two starts in all competitions this season, per ESPN FC.
Naturally, Podolski has been left frustrated by life on the lumber. He expressed those sentiments before scoring twice in Arsenal’s 4-1 Champions League win over Galatasaray, per Mail Online reporter Craig Hope:
I am happy at Arsenal and happy in London but the only thing is I don’t play. I don’t get the chance to play. I play always 10 to 15 minutes. I cannot be happy with this.
For his part, Wenger has hinted at a desire to keep the ex-Cologne and Bayern Munich attacker at the club, per beIN Sports (h/t Daily Star reporter Nick Lustig). However, the Gunners boss never sounds particularly convincing whenever he leaps to Podolski‘s defence.
Wenger is also not short of attacking options. Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck can all play striker, along with Theo Walcott, who is returning from a prolonged injury. Talented youngsters Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell also wait in reserve.
The only caveat here is that Podolski is a more assured and efficient finisher than many of the names on this list. Certainly, Welbeck, Sanogo and Campbell have yet to adequately prove their scoring credentials for the Gunners.
But Wenger will likely feel confident about his ability to eventually coax goals from every member of that trio. He may also have had his fill of Podolski‘s erratic effort.
Despite Podolski‘s proficiency in front of goal, Arsenal would be wise to move him on during the January window.
Yet in truth, the future outlook of Arsenal’s striking options should be the least of Wenger‘s concerns next month. Instead, his priority must be retooling his midfield, along with preferably adding to his numbers at the back.
They are the only moves that would engender confidence that the Gunners can eventually turn their so far stuttering season into a successful campaign.
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