Arsenal have started the transfer window in a positive manner and have been linked with a host of top stars in their bid to challenge for the Premier League title next season. Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Sami Khedira is the latest player to be linked with the club, having linked up really well with Mesut Ozil back in 2012/13. Khedira did struggle for fitness last season but prior to that has been a consistently good and combative performer for Real. He has had injuries throughout his time at Madrid though with his fitness never looking certain. In four seasons at the club his highest total appearances in La Liga was 28, which is not amazing. The Premier League is more demanding physically and does not have a mid-season break, which might not suit Khedira.
That being said he would be an interesting addition to Arsenal’s midfield which currently lacks a natural ball winner or combative player. As things stand Arsenal tend to operate with a midfield three of Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil in front. Or with Arteta deep with Jack Wilshere and Ozil ahead with Ramsey wide. Arsenal will likely move to more of an obvious 4-2-3-1 formation next season with Alexis Sanchez, Ozil and Theo Walcott as the three ahead of a two man pivot. Jack Wilshere and Arteta do not have enough bite or natural nous in this position. Adding Khedira in will provide a player who is used to playing in a two man pivot and will provide a more combative option.
Khedira is 27 and despite having fitness issues is good at plugging gaps and also breaking forward at pace, he has more energy and mobility than Arteta. He could also play as a box to box player in a more conventional three man midfield if Arsene Wenger ever adopts that style of play. That being said he did only win just over one tackle and one interception in thirteen league appearances last season and at the World Cup even less than that. He isn’t the most natural defensive midfielder, even if he can play there. He is more of a box to box player. He would have more bite than the other options Arsenal have and would strengthen their range of options but wouldn’t settle their problems out right.
Further to this his fitness problems are a real concern and do prevent him from getting any really good runs of form. The injury he picked up ahead of the World Cup final was a case in point in this regard. He isn’t the most reliable player in this regard and with Arsenal already having problems with injury prone players this won’t bode too well. Arsenal may instead be better off targeting a more natural defensive player who has better fitness. If they do sign Khedira and can keep him fit though, he will provide a useful option, even if he won’t completely perfect the Arsenal midfield.
@HassGeee