Defensive Midfield
The team already has a wealth of central stars, which would make further recruitment in this area of the field very difficult to strengthen without causing congestion. However, a big club like Arsenal needs a big squad.
Francis Coquelin has become an automatic starter for the North Londoners since his rejuvenation. He was recalled from his loan spell at Charlton in December, and has now become indispensable from that holding role. It’s proven to be so crucial in Arsenal’s upturn in defensive fortunes this half of the season.
Much like the goalkeeping situation, the Gunners have missed the presence of a Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit or a Gilberto Silva for far too long, but it seems we’ve found this character in Coquelin.
The only problem is that he is the only player capable of doing such a job at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and the forever seeming injured Abou Diaby simply aren’t cutting it in the team any more. So the manager may be in the market for another player of Coquelin’s quality.
Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin is a name we continue to be linked with in recent transfer windows, as his future at the club seems to hinge on Champions League qualification. So if Ronald Koeman’s men were to fail to make the top 4, this could be the best opportunity Wenger may have of ever signing the Frenchman.