Analysis: Reasons why Arsenal are desperate to sign Julian Draxler

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been keeping his cards typically close to his chest during the January transfer window so far, insisting that the Gunners will be doing no business unless “something exceptional turns up.”

However such remarks have done nothing to slow the rumours linking players to the club, the strongest of which have suggested that Schalke winger Julian Draxler could be a target for the club.

Is he the “something exceptional” that Wenger talks of? Here’s our Squawka scouting report.

The attribute that immediately jumps out about Draxler is his ability on the ball. The German has completed the third highest number of take ons this season, going past an opponent on 72 occasions in just 14 league appearances.

This amounts to one every 16.5 minutes and is just 12 shy of being the league’s top amount, despite Draxler playing three games fewer than most of his take on rivals. The 20-year-old boasts explosive pace and power that, in tandem with a his quick feet and deft touch, allows him to leave opponents trailing in his wake.

However a quick look at the duels comparison above suggests that Draxler is not your typical attacking player. Both of his rivals for the most take ons in the Bundesliga have low numbers of headed duels and tackles, but Draxler brings a physical contribution that many attacking players don’t.

He has completed 26 tackles this season – a success rate of 84% – and has also won 22 headed duels. Such all-round physical attributes could explain why Wenger is believed to view the 6ft 2 inch Draxler as being in a similar mould to former Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie.

Draxler currently plays on the left-hand side of Schalke’s 4-2-3-1 formation, but Wenger is reported to see his long term future as a central forward player. Given his physical presence and ability on the ball, it is easy to see why Wenger views him as Van Persie’s long term heir rather than just another wide player.

However, whilst he undoubtedly brings exceptional promise Draxler is far from the finished article, as you would expect from a 20-year-old. For a player that is commanding such a high price tag, his form for Schalke has been lacking in end product this season.

Like Van Persie, Draxler possesses a thunderous shot, but he has not utilised it to the same effect that he did last season. He has just one goal this season – having scored 10 last season – from 19 shots.

Of those 19, 42% have hit the target – an amount that does not compare favourably to the current Gunners squad and is far below the 78% shot accuracy that he managed last campaign, perhaps reflecting his status as a marked man in the eyes of defenders and the lower level of space that he is now afforded.

Signing the German would prove another statement of intent from Wenger, following on from the signing of Mesut Ozil in the last transfer window. Draxler would bring tricks and raw potential to the Arsenal side and the early indications suggest that he would be a shrewd long-term signing.

Wenger may have to wait until the summer to land his target, but the stats suggest that he could be worth the wait.