Arsenal look a rudderless ship without twinkle toes Santi Cazorla in the centre of the park. The diminutive playmaker has become the most vital player in this Arsenal side eclipsing the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny.
And having missed him the entire season, it’s safe to say the Gunners are not where they would’ve been had he stayed fit throughout. Cazorla’s biggest asset is his ability to dribble past a few players in midfield and deliver the kind of pass that sets a forward in motion.
Granit Xhaka was brought into the team to help with the latter – his passing range being his biggest strength – but without his ability to dribble past players, the Gunners are often pressed high up the field and then punished.
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For Arsenal to continue to play like they have with Cazorla in the team, they’re going to need players who play like the Spaniard long after he’s left or retired. So, here are five deep-lying playmakers Arsenal could invest in for a safe long-term plan:
#1 James Ward-Prowse
Southampton are having a fine season in the Premier League under new manager Claude Puel. The Frenchman has brought about a lot of changes to the squad but his main shift to a more dynamic 4-3-3 has helped raise the level of performances of a bunch of players the fans love.
One of them being 22-year-old James Ward-Prowse. The English midfield combatant has been on a steady rise for a while now but having finally broken into the England senior fold and impressing on a week-to-week basis, it’s about time the bigger clubs started admitting that they’d love him in their team.
Ward-Prowse is not the biggest player but has quick feet and can find an accurate pass when needed. When coupled with a tough tackler and a more sitting midfielder, Ward-Prowse contributes high up the pitch in attack and that could benefit Arsenal a whole lot.
#2 Leon Goretzka
The biggest asset FC Schalke currently possess is their super versatile midfielder, Leon Goretzka. The 22-year-old German has been in fine form this season, being played in a multitude of positions including right-wing, central midfield, and central attacking midfield.
And he’s surpassed expectations in all of those positions with his clever one-twos, his runs off the ball and his confidence when on the ball. His height is an added advantage making him quite the imposing figure in the centre of the park and he’s improved a lot on his pace in recent years which comes in handy in all of the positions he’s chosen.
Goretzka’s contract expires at the end of next season and if Schalke are yet to tie him down to a contract, something’s off. And Arsenal ought to capitalise without having to seem too pushy. The Gunners need the best young talent from across Europe if they’re to become competitive again and Goretzka is one who could help them do that.
#3 Joao Moutinho
The elder statesman on this list and possibly the one who could add most to Arsenal straight away is AS Monaco’s Joao Moutinho. The Portuguese midfielder is a free agent at the end of next season and could come to Arsenal on the cheap this summer.
Having won the UEFA European Championships with Portugal and having been the guiding light for all of AS Monaco’s youngsters this season, Moutinho is someone any midfield would greatly benefit from having. His playmaking skills from the centre of the field are exceptional and his experience could help interested suitors.
Usually the one who’ll stay back and dictate play from there, Moutinho can add a lot to Arsenal in terms of letting Granit Xhaka, Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny go forward more, knowing very well there is someone who is experienced to stay behind and take care of the back-four.
When on the ball, Moutinho is a true magician often sending long ones behind opposition defences and the sly through ones to the attacking midfielders. Given that he’ll cost between €10 million – €20 million, it’ll be a real bargain for the North London giants.
#4 Naby Keita
The sensation of the Bundesliga this season has to be RB Leipzig’s, Naby Keita. The 22-year-old Guinea international has been superb with the ball at his feet often setting up plays for the East German side well up the pitch.
Keita’s biggest strength is his ability to read the game quicker than most. He anticipates movement, intercepts and runs with the ball at his feet. His agility when on the ball allows him to dribble past a host of players before finding one of the forwards.
Widely tipped to leave the club and move on to a bigger European giant, Keita would be a massive signing for Arsenal – one that could galvanise a change in the squad much like how N’Golo Kante has done for this Chelsea side.
Albeit he’ll be the most expensive one on this list, he could also be the one who could immediately convert Arsenal from also-rans to a genuine title-winning team.
#5 Youri Tielemans
A perpetual in the back-pages of everyday newspapers is RSC Anderlecht’s Youri Tielemans. The 19-year-old has been a sensation for the Belgian side for the past few years and has finally evolved into the kind of player who could benefit any midfield.
Tielemans has been heavily linked with a move to AS Monaco and Arsenal in the past and should he choose the latter, he’ll probably get straight into the team as Santi Cazorla’s replacement. Tielemans is a fighter both physically and mentally and that kind of burning desire is needed in this Arsenal team.
About his football, he’s adept with the ball at his feet and clever when hunting for it. He uses his body well to shield and brush off defenders to protect the ball. He’s quick, he’s solid and he’ll find the pass, too, making him the complete package Arsenal are looking for. And he’s only 19. Phew.
