Arsenal urged to secure signing of £80m talent to bolster midfield
Arsenal have been urged by former Gunner Paul Merson to secure the signing of one of London rivals West Ham’s promising young players in the summer.
The Gunners lost Lucas Torreira to an injury prior to the season suspension due to the the coronavirus outbreak and with Dani Ceballos set to return to Real Madrid, there may well be a void to fill in midfield next season.
Considering the fact that the likes of Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi are also yet to stake their claim as Arsenal’s most reliable options to shield the back four, Paul Merson has called for his former club to make a move in the next transfer window.
According to Merson, the Gunners should aim at securing the signing of the Declan Rice, who is valued at a whopping £80million (Daily Star) by West Ham.
“The holding midfield position is a massive part of football now,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“I think some people look at the holding midfielders and think they could easily do it. They think they can easily sit in front of the back four and pass the ball five or 10 yards every time they get it, but it’s a very hard job.
“It’s so hard to not get too involved in the game, to stay patient and to stay in position in front of back four.
“Chelsea have been linked with him, but I don’t know why Arsenal aren’t looking at Declan Rice.
“Arsenal are crying out for a holding midfield player.
“They don’t need a midfielder who’s going to be on the edge of the opposition box, they need a disciplined defensive midfielder, who is going to sit in front of the back four and organise the side; one who, when he gets the ball, gives it simple with 10-yard passes.
“When you look back at the likes of Roy Keane later in his career and Claude Makelele, they were the best because they never got involved. They just did the simple things.”
“It’s such a hard job and that’s why I can’t believe Arsenal aren’t going in for a player like Rice.
“A player like Rice can allow the attacking players to flourish and it gives the central defenders the chance to be better than what they are.”
Following the appointment of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal are make will be looking to make the right investment in the transfer market in order to secure a return to the Champions League.
