The rumour mill at the Emirates is churning with a ferocity that suggests Mikel Arteta is not prepared to leave anything to chance. GoalZaza understan...
The rumour mill at the Emirates is churning with a ferocity that suggests Mikel Arteta is not prepared to leave anything to chance. GoalZaza understands that Arsenal have drawn up a shortlist of four central midfielders as they look to inject a very specific blend of steel and subtlety into their engine room. The names on that list tell a fascinating story about what the technical director Edu and his manager believe is missing.At the top of the pile sits the £100 million question in the form of Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian has been a colossus for Newcastle United, a player who can dictate the tempo from deep, break lines with a pass, and perhaps most crucially, provide the kind of combative grit that Arsenal sometimes lack in tight, scrappy contests. But he is not alone in the North East. His teammate Sandro Tonali, once the subject of a ban and now back in the fold, offers a different dynamic. Tonali is a runner, a man who thrives in transitional football, capable of covering ground that leaves opponents breathless. To land either would require a significant outlay; to land both is a fantasy, though the very act of listing them shows a club that is shopping at the top end of the market.Then we have the projects. Ayyoub Bouaddi, the Lille teenager, represents the long term view. He is raw, intelligent, and built in the mould of a modern controller, but asking him to step into a Premier League title race next season would be a gamble. Alex Scott of Bournemouth is a different beast entirely. He is already battle hardened in the top flight, a player who can carry the ball through the press and offers tactical flexibility across the forward line and midfield. Scott may not have the star wattage of Guimaraes, but he understands the demands of the league and would not require the same bedding in period.The real question here is not whether Arsenal can afford one of these players. The question is whether they can afford to get this decision wrong. Arteta has built a side capable of pushing Manchester City to the wire, but that side has occasionally looked flat when the opposition parks the bus and dares them to find a way through. The missing link is a midfielder who can unlock a low block with a single pass or a driving run. Bruno provides control. Tonali provides energy. Bouaddi provides promise. Scott provides versatility. The choice will tell us exactly what sort of team Arteta wants to be next season. And in this transfer window, there is no room for a misstep.
