Defensive Midfielder: Arsenal targets by numbers

After reported bids for both Fellaini and Bender, I think it is pretty obvious that Wenger is after a defensive midfielder this summer. I have compiled a list of all the defensive midfielders we have been linked to recently, and will give you my view on what I think of them based on what I’ve seen and statistics from last season.

Before we get to all that though, let me just give you a brief idea of the type of defensive midfielder I would like to see at the club.

If my DM was a woman, she would be Catherine Zeta-Jones. Nothing spectacular, but something beautiful about her presence. Having said that, I don’t suppose Catherine would be any good at bossing the midfield away to Stoke on a wet Tuesday night.

So leaving that analogy, I want my main man in midfield to be a leader, to keep calm and composed when we’re having a rough time. He must have the ability to dictate the tempo of the game by breaking up the play and making crunching tackles, he must do the simple things well and be disciplined, keeping the team in shape whilst doing his role too. On top of that, he must be able to pull a pass out of his locker as well.

So here is the shortlist for role (not including Catherine Zeta-Jones):

Marouanne Fellaini

Marouane Fellaini

Club – Everton

Age – 25

Height – 194cm

Weight – 85kg

League Apps – 31

Value - £23-£25m

Tackles p/game	Interceptions p/game	Fouls conceded p/game	Dribbled past p/game	Blocked shots p/game
2.6 (82)	1.2 (37)	2.6 (80)	0.4 (13)	0.1 (4)
Key Passes p/game	Dispossessed p/game	Turnovers p/game	Pass success %	Through Ball success
1.3 (40)	2.4 (73)	2.5 (76)	79.3	0.1 (3/6)

Fellaini seems the obvious choice for a dominating defensive midfielder; some may say that we’ve been missing since Vieira. He certainly fits the physical profile, standing at 6’5 and resembling the structure of a floodlight, exactly what we need right?

Well I have my concerns over his footballing ability. It’s all well and good wanting a powerhouse in the middle to throw a few elbows and pinch Evra’s balls, but if he’s going to give the ball away endlessly then I’m not sure I want him.

Fellaini was dispossessed a total of 73 times last season, and turned the ball over a total of 76 times, averaging the most turnovers per game in the Premier League.

Granted he was playing the majority of the season in a central attacking role, so you are always going to be more prone to giving the ball away, but I have serious reservations on Fellaini’s ability to keep hold of the ball and adapt to our passing game.

The statistics for last season may not paint a clear picture of Fellaini’s defensive midfielder capabilities, I’m sure if he was to have played in the deeper role his tackling, interception and pass success stats would be significantly higher. Fellaini certainly fits the profile for the sort of Defensive Midfielder I would like, but I have my doubts over technical aspects of his game. Physically he is everything I would want from my DM and would add more aerial prowess to a rapidly improving part of our game.

Verdict – Would be very surprised if Wenger isn’t in for Fellaini, if Wenger trusts his technical ability then who am I to argue? Fellaini has a move to Manchester United written all over him though.

Lars Bender

Lars Bender

Club – Bayer Leverkusen

Age – 24

Height – 184cm

Weight – 77kg

League Apps – 33

Value - £22-£25m

Tackles p/game	Interceptions p/game	Fouls conceded p/game	Dribbled past p/game	Blocked shots p/game
4.1 (135)	2.8 (83)	1.7 (57)	2 (66)	0.3 (9)
Key Passes p/game	Dispossessed p/game	Turnovers p/game	Pass success %	Through Ball success
1 (32)	1.5 (51)	0.8 (26)	79.3	0.1 (2/8)

For quite some time now, Lars Bender has been a personal favourite of mine, and when I heard the rumours linking us with a bid for the German, I nearly wet myself with excitement.

However, of course, that’s the Arsenal fan in me that’s never learnt from previous windows to not get too excited. Nevertheless it is important to be linked to names such as Bender and a move for the German is completely realistic.

Coming off the back of a fantastic season playing defensive midfield for Leverkusen, makes him an ideal candidate for Arsenal. Bender certainly puts himself about, making more tackles this season than anybody in the Bundesliga, as well as more than anybody else on this shortlist.

His style would certainly be suited to the Premier League, not lacking in speed or strength and has the ability to pass a football. Bender is what you would call a natural Defensive Midfielder, he knows the role and loves the role and is a student of the game.

Verdict – Bender would be my personal choice for the role, would be surprised if we aren’t going back in for him, he would be a huge signing.

Etienne Capoue

Etienne Capoue

Club – Toulouse

Age – 25

Height – 189cm

Weight – 80kg

League Apps – 34

Value - £12-£15m

Tackles p/game	Interceptions p/game	Fouls conceded p/game	Dribbled past p/game	Blocked shots p/game
2.4 (81)	2.6 (87)	1.8 (61)	0.6 (20)	0.4 (13)
Key Passes p/game	Dispossessed p/game	Turnovers p/game	Pass success %	Through Ball success
0.7 (24)	1.2 (40)	1.1 (36)	80.8	0.1 (2/7)

Capoue has been a named linked with Arsenal and various other Premier League clubs for quite some time, and has earned himself a reputation of being one of the best defensive midfielders in France, which has led to numerous call ups to the French national set up.

Blessed with a dominating presence, Capoue is certainly suited to playing in the Premier League and would be unlikely to have any problems with the physical side of the game.

Question marks could be raised over Capoue’s technical side of the game but he has a good range of passing and scored 7 goals for Toulouse last season. Another Strength of Capoue is his aerial threat, winning 75% of aerial duels last season in Ligue One.

I suppose a weakness of Capoue’s game is the amount of free kick’s he seems to give away. 61 fouls were given away last term in Ligue One; however he only received seven yellow cards and one red card. However, nothing wrong with giving the odd free kick away to break up the play I guess.

Verdict – Would be a great asset for Arsenal, not sure if he is a high priority though. Maybe if bids for Fellaini and Bender fail, we could see further interest in Etienne.

Ilkay Gundogan

Ilkay Gundogan

Club – Borussia Dortmund

Age – 22

Height – 180cm

Weight – 79kg

League Apps – 28

Value - £25-£30m

Tackles p/game	Interceptions p/game	Fouls conceded p/game	Dribbled past p/game	Blocked shots p/game
2.3 (64)	2.3 (63)	1.1 (32)	2 (56)	0 (1)
Key Passes p/game	Dispossessed p/game	Turnovers p/game	Pass success %	Through Ball success
0.7 (19)	1.4 (40)	0.7 (20)	86.2	0.1 (2/7)

Gundogan is a player we all would have seen a lot of this year watching his exploits with Dortmund in the Champions League. He has been instrumental in Dortmund’s recent successes in the Bundesliga and Champions League and has certainly caught a lot of attention with his performances.

Gifted with fantastic passing range and the ability to keep hold of the ball and not give it away, Gundogan would suit Arsenal’s game superbly.

However, I would put him in the mould of an Arteta and not really the dominating presence I am looking for in our midfield. Having said that would I turn down the opportunity of having Gundogan at Arsenal? Hell No! He would be a fantastic acquisition to the team, but I’m not sure he would be the solution to our problem, more like a long term replacement for Arteta.

Verdict – Fantastic player but I can’t see him leaving Dortmund for Arsenal. Possibly a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid next season.

Gareth Barry

Gareth Barry

Club – Manchester City

Age – 32

Height – 183cm

Weight – 78kg

League Apps – 31

Value - £3-4m

Tackles p/game	Interceptions p/game	Fouls conceded p/game	Dribbled past p/game	Blocked shots p/game
2.1 (64)	1.4 (44)	1.2 (38)	0.5 (17)	0.2 (6)
Key Passes p/game	Dispossessed p/game	Turnovers p/game	Pass success %	Through Ball success
1.2 (36)	0.9 (29)	0.7 (22)	86.3	0.1 (3/9)

Many may turn their nose up at Gareth Barry, me being one of them. However recently I’ve being trying to look at the signing of the England international in a positive light. He is experienced, he is a Premier League winner and would offer something different to what we already have at the club.

Signing Barry for me would be an absolute last resort; if he isn’t good enough for City then I wouldn’t be in the business of signing other teams’ scraps, like we did with Silvestre.

Statistically, Barry looks quite impressive, and proficient. High pass success rate, low dispossession and turnover ratios, but not really an expert in any role.

He doesn’t have the legs for a box to box role and doesn’t have the technical ability for an advanced role. Defensively he would improve Arsenal but isn’t exactly a dominating presence that would boss the midfield.

Verdict – I can understand the interest in Barry, but he isn’t my cup of tea but maybe Wenger sees something in him. Could be a goer if all else fails.

Maxime Gonalons

Maxime Gonalons

Club – Lyon

Age – 24

Height – 187cm

Weight – 76kg

League Apps – 35

Value - £10-£12m

Tackles p/game	Interceptions p/game	Fouls conceded p/game	Dribbled past p/game	Blocked shots p/game
4 (139)	3.1 (109)	2 (70)	1.1 (37)	0.3 (9)
Key Passes p/game	Dispossessed p/game	Turnovers p/game	Pass success %	Through Ball success
0.3 (11)	1 (36)	0.8 (27)	88	0 (1/4)

Little may be known about the Frenchman from Lyon, other than the fact that we were very heavily linked with him in June. The speculation died down after for one reason or another, Gonalons decided to stay at Lyon for at least one more season. One thing is for certain, Gonalons is very highly rated in France and by regular French football viewers.

Defensively, Gonalons does everything you want in terms of breaking up the play, with more interceptions last year than anybody on this shortlist.

Gonalons also leads the way in most tackles made from this shortlist also. Not bad for a relatively unknown 24 year old. Offensively, Gonalons isn’t too bad either, averaging an 88% pass completion, with fairly low dispossession and turnover ratio’s. His good form for Lyon has not gone unnoticed by the French National set up and has recently gone on to collect 6 caps.

Verdict – After Gonalons committed his future to Lyon I can’t see this one happening this summer unless something drastic happens. Good player, positive he will go onto good things in the future.

Stephane Mbia

Stephane Mbia

Club – QPR

Age – 27

Height – 189cm

Weight – 82kg

League Apps – 29

Value - £4-5m

Tackles p/game	Interceptions p/game	Fouls conceded p/game	Dribbled past p/game	Blocked shots p/game
2.6 (76)	2.7 (78)	1.8 (51)	0.5 (14)	0.4 (13)
Key Passes p/game	Dispossessed p/game	Turnovers p/game	Pass success %	Through Ball success
0.7 (20)	1.2 (34)	1.1 (31)	82.7	0.1 (4/6)

“Are you serious”?

“That bloke who just got relegated with QPR, no thanks”.

Speculation linking Arsenal with Mbia has not just been a one off so far this summer. Genuine interest seems to be there from Wenger, as I seem to remember Arsenal being linked with Mbia before he made his cash fuelled move to West London.

Mbia is capable of playing both Central Midfield and Centre Back as we saw last season for QPR. Not sure we should be judging Mbia’s ability on a poor season for QPR, but on what I’ve seen of the guy he would not be someone I’d look to.

You may remember Mbia being sent off for QPR at the Emirates earlier on last season, after kicking out at Vermaelen. Mbia isn’t exactly the greatest passer of a ball either, but offers lots of energy in the middle of the park, plus the versatility of being able to play both in midfield and defence.

Verdict – Personally not a fan of Mbia, he has obvious disciplinary issues and simply not good enough a player for the role we need at the club.

Geoffrey Kondogbia (in blue)

Geoffrey Kondogbia

Club – Sevilla

Age – 20

Height – 188cm

Weight – 74kg

League Apps – 31

Value - £10-£15m

Tackles p/game	Interceptions p/game	Fouls conceded p/game	Dribbled past p/game	Blocked shots p/game
2.8 (86)	1.3 (39)	1.6 (50)	0.8 (24)	0.2 (6)
Key Passes p/game	Dispossessed p/game	Turnovers p/game	Pass success %	Through Ball success
0.3 (9)	1 (30)	0.7 (23)	86.9	0.1 (2/8)

I’ve just been watching Kondogbia and Sanogo over the last couple of weeks in the U20 world cup for France, in which they were victorious. Kondogbia is a real talent and it’s easy to see why he has been heavily linked with a transfer away from Sevilla.

Resembling Patrick Vieira, a sense of nostalgia hits me every time I watch him play, long gangly legs with energy to get box to box and ability make crunching tackles.

The interest in Kondogbia is unsurprising. Wenger loves these types of players and with Abou Diaby ‘out of order’ there is a gap left for a player like Kondogbia.

However, for Kondogbia to be a first choice DM this season, I would have my doubts. Whilst talented, he is still very raw and needs time to develop and isn’t exactly what we need right now.

Verdict – I would assume definite interest is there from the club and can see this one happening. One for the future, not right now though.

Luiz Gustavo

Luiz Gustavo

Club – Bayern Munich

Age – 25

Height – 187cm

Weight – 80kg

League Apps – 22

Value - £8-10m

Tackles p/game	Interceptions p/game	Fouls conceded p/game	Dribbled past p/game	Blocked shots p/game
2.5 (54)	1.5 (33)	1.7 (37)	1.4 (30)	0.1 (2)
Key Passes p/game	Dispossessed p/game	Turnovers p/game	Pass success %	Through Ball success
0.3 (6)	1.4 (31)	0.3 (7)	93	0.1 (2/3)

Luiz Gustavo is a victim to the recent summer acquisitions by new Bayern Munich coach Per Guardiola, and has reportedly been made surplus to requirements by the German and European Champions.

Very much a bit part player at Bayern Munich, used more in a rotational system with Martinez and Schweinsteiger ahead of him in the pecking order.

Gustavo is likely to have a lot of interest in him the top clubs in Europe after impressive displays in the Confederations Cup for Brazil. Very efficient with the ball and a well renowned work horse, adept at playing at Left Back and Centre Back also, Gustavo is quite a versatile player and on paper would be a good fit at Arsenal.

I always have my doubts over whether Brazilians can handle the physicality of the Premier League, but after spending five years in the Bundesliga, I’m confident Luiz Gustavo would be up to the task of English football.

Verdict – I would imagine a lot of interest all around Europe in Gustavo, and for £8m it would be a steal for anyone. Not sure Wenger is particularly interested though.

So there you have it, my choice would be Lars Bender. Who would yours be?