With Krystian Bielik looking likely to be our first signing of the January transfer window, there are growing concerns that Arsene Wenger may neglect to sign a more experienced defensive midfielder.
The young Pole looks set to be a star of the future, but he is unlikely to be ready to make the step up at a team like Arsenal just yet.
We have been crying out for a dominant defensive midfielder for years now, but Wenger may use the acquisition of Bielik to justify not spending on a more established star.
I truly hope this is not the case, and here are five stars Le Prof should be targeting this January:
5) William Carvalho – Sporting Lisbon
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The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to us for quite a while, but Sporting’s astronomical asking price combined with third party ownership made a move impossible.
A deal now seems more likely however, and while he is by no means proven at the top level, he could end up being the long term solution to our midfield problem.
4) Nilton – Cruzeiro
The tough tackling midfielder has been likened to Gilberto Silva, and possesses all the attributes necessary to succeed in the Premier League.
He may not be as technically skilled as most of the players we have been linked to, but is likely to prove a far cheaper option. The Brazilian could be a stop-gap until we find a more suitable solution to our lack of steel in the centre of the park, with a number of our top targets unlikely to be available this January.
Inter Milan are believed to be close to completing a deal to bring him to Serie A however, so Wenger needs to move quickly.
3) Grzegorz Krychowiak – Sevilla
The Polish international was a relative unknown this time last season, but has taken La Liga by storm since joining Sevilla last summer.
The Spanish club are unlikely to want to sell, but a sizeable bid could tempt them into accepting a quick profit on the player.
2) Lars Bender – Bayer Leverkusen
Arsene Wenger is known to be a huge fan of the Bender brothers, and has allegedly had bids for Lars Bender turned down in the past.
We have seen him open his cheque book more regularly recently however, and he could be ready to splash the cash on a player he considers to be the remedy to our midfield ailments.
1) Morgan Schneiderlin – Southampton
Undoubtedly the player most fans want to see at the Emirates in the next few weeks, Schneiderlin would be an unbelievable signing for us.
The Frenchman was keen on an exit from Southampton last summer, but saw his move blocked after a mass exodus from the club.
He is unlikely to want to leave this January however, especially with the Saints currently occupying one of the Champions League spots.
The 25-year-old may once again look to leave in the summer if Southampton fail to make Champions League, but can we really afford to wait that long?
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