Why Arsenal should not target Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye

Yohan Cabaye

Arsenal’s much publicised pursuit of Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabayeduring the summer transfer window looked like it would never end. However, the saga finally stopped when Mesut Ozil made his shock move to the Emirates from Real Madrid.

After refusing to play for Newcastle following the Arsenal bid in the summer, Cabaye now looks to have to put it all behind him and has played a major role in his side’s recent revival. So should Arsene Wenger return for the Magpies star man in January?

Cabaye’s chance creation in the Premier League

Cabaye has created 15 chances for his team mates so far this season, including two assists from 10 games. That maybe some way short of the 25 chances created by Mesut Ozil, but the French international has fashioned the same number of chances as Aaron Ramsey and more than both Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla who have 12 and 13 each, respectively.

Tomas Rosicky has created 10 chances in his seven appearances while Mathieu Flamini has only created three chances and Mikel Arteta just two.

Cabaye’s passing stats compared to Arsenal’s

Arsenal are famed for their passing style and Cabaye’s average pass completion rate is below the typically high standards of the Gunners midfielders. The former Lille man has an average passing accuracy of 79%, while Ozil has found a teammate with 87% of his passes, putting him narrowly ahead of Wilshere on 84% and Ramsey on 85%.

Despite being the least creative of the Arsenal midfielders, Arteta and Flamini boast the best passing stats, with 93% and 92% respectively.

Cabaye’s duels in the Premier League in 2013/14

Cabaye has attempted 45 tackles this season but has won just 18 of his challenges. The Newcastle midfielder has also completed just one successful take on from six attempts. Overall, Cabaye has won an unimpressive 34% of his average duels.

Arteta leads the way amongst the Arsenal midfielders, winning 50% of his overall average duels, that’s marginally better that Ramsey on 48%. The Welshman has won an impressive 55% of his tackles. Ozil has the worst percentage of the Gunners midfielders, winning 41% of his average duels, but that is still better than Cabaye.

Long range: Cabaye’s goals for Newcastle this season

The French international has chipped in with the goals this season as well, finding the back of the net on two occasions, the same number as both Ozil and Wilshere. Ramsey is the form man in front of goal though, the 22-year-old has bagged six in 11 league games for the Gunners this season.

If Wenger was looking to Cabaye to solve his side’s creative issues, surely he has found the perfect solution in Ozil. The stunning form of Ramsey has been a massive bonus and the return from injury of Cazorla means Cabaye would be facing stiff competition for a starting place should he make the move to London. That’s not to mention Wilshere, Rosicky, Arteta and the resurgent Flamini.

With their abundance of midfield talent, it would be hard for Wenger to justify the arrival of yet another at the Emirates. So do Arsenal need Cabaye? Not really, no.