Having missed out on Mario Gotze, who apparently has decided that he won't be moving anywhere next season and is happy to stay at Dortmund, I'm hearing Wenger is not refocusing his attentions from Germany. In fact he's still got his hawk eyes firmly fixed on his prey (a young vole), the vole being precocious teenage talent Julian Draxler from Schalke.
I've seen a fair bit of this supercharged attacking midfielder and I like what I see. Wenger might well look to have a deal in place after throwing his eggs out of his Gotze shaped basket. Talk of 15 million is being banded about, with Wenger looking to get his jab in now, rather than wait another season and risk the player being worth a lot more, especially with Real Madrid already linked as admirers.
Like I say, I like what I've seen. He looks quite tall, direct and bares a slight resemblance to pop singer Lee Ryan from British Male vocal songbirds "Blue".
Can anyone, preferably who is Bundesliga savy give a better breakdown of Draxler, his talents, the legitimacy of Schalke selling him and an opinion on if this young upstart would suit Arsenal's style? A realistic target, suited to the Premiership? Let's have some answers, yes?
Gotze = Nein ! Draxler = Vielleicht
posted on 22/4/13
Do we actually need Draxler, anyway? I'm not doubting his potential, but we've been lumbered with "potential" for ages. Like GT says, we need someone who's the real deal and able to step in and perform. Besides, i see Cazorla and Wilshere in that role. Arteta can even put in a shift there, if we manage to get a DM.
If Wenger is going to spend some serious cash, he can firstly get a top forward, a top DM and a top goalie. The AM posituion is well covered.
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Good question. Wenger had/has a serious hard on for Gotze (who wouldn't?), but as you say, there are MUCH more pressing areas that need improvement. A ball winning midfielder, clinical striker & goalkeeper (to fight it out with Chesney) are paramount.
If, as reported, Wenger is intent on getting in an attacking midfielder, you do wonder what he's up to. Cazorla is arguably one of the better players in Europe playing that role (I don't see Wilshere in that mould, style wise, for the record), so getting in a midfielder of similar style makes me wonder what Wenger's plan is in terms of setting up his team next season?
posted on 22/4/13
GT, is he worth 15 million?
Want to answer this. We payed the same amount for the Ox. A lot for an unexperienced 19 year old boy if you ask me. As Serial said. Massive risk and imo we need an option that almost guarantee you success.
A thought just occured to me. GT might be able to confirm this. Young Draxler, just replaced Holtby in the Schalke midfield and is a regular starter. He could be looking for a contract boost. Agent rumours?
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Draxler was a regular starter anyway for Schalke and it nothing to do with Holtby. Draxler is positionwise a Poldi imitation whereas Holtby plays more centrally.
posted on 22/4/13
If, as reported, Wenger is intent on getting in an attacking midfielder, you do wonder what he's up to. Cazorla is arguably one of the better players in Europe playing that role (I don't see Wilshere in that mould, style wise, for the record), so getting in a midfielder of similar style makes me wonder what Wenger's plan is in terms of setting up his team next season?
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Comment from Kos:
“We are happy with the win,” said Koscielny. “But we needed to score more goals especially when we are playing against 10 men.
“We had enough possession but we were not dangerous enough from inside 20 metres. It was very difficult but we were happy with the three points.”
And it was a similar story after the Everton game. Players and manager highlighting the lack of chances created!
I think it is clear to see that teams know how to defend against us. They just leave us having the ball outisde the box and passing it around and around. We had 71% possession against Fulham, 71%!!!!
We are deeeply in need of that AM that would be able to unlock defences! Capable of THAT pass so maybe that's what Wenger is after.
posted on 22/4/13
BTW, I'm not saying that Drexler is that man, I don't know enough about him but we really need others options from midlfield.
posted on 22/4/13
We are deeeply in need of that AM that would be able to unlock defences! Capable of THAT pass so maybe that's what Wenger is after.
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Good point. The thing that striker me, when I think about it, is that Cazorla, being realistic, is the only genuine 'creative' attacking player. Chamberlain, in time may well fall into that bracket.
On the face of it the club has a fair few options attack wise, but as you very rightly highlight, a lot of teams know how to set-up against Arsenal. For all the talent at their disposal, they are often very predictable, too much so.
posted on 22/4/13
We are deeeply in need of that AM that would be able to unlock defences! Capable of THAT pass so maybe that's what Wenger is after.
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Yes a Cesc type of player that is. I said so before. Our midfield is not good enough in that regard.
posted on 22/4/13
Yes a Cesc type of player that is. I said so before. Our midfield is not good enough in that regard.
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The whole dynamic is wrong.
I think a sea change may well be in effect next season with regards to how the midfield sets up.
For me, in recent weeks, the most balanced the midfield has looked has been a trio of;
Ramsey - Arteta - Cazorla
With a shout for Rosicky in the mix.
It's certainly not the most talented trio, but it IS the most balanced and compact (IMO).
Arsenal's game/style is based on quick passing and this season, in many games the team has played at a snails pace, by their own standards.
posted on 22/4/13
Arsenal's game/style is based on quick passing and this season, in many games the team has played at a snails pace, by their own standards.
Wrong in my view. You are living in the past as most of the Arsenal fans on this board. Times we have the player to play like that are over and that for a long time now.
posted on 22/4/13
Wrong in my view. You are living in the past as most of the Arsenal fans on this board. Times we have the player to play like that are over and that for a long time now.
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Agree in regards that (some) of the players to play the quick(er) passing game are not suited.
But for me, the approach in many games really has been WAY too slow. It looks at times as though the team is at odds with itself.
Wenger does not and never has played a slow build-up style, not ever. It's not in his nature to coach his teams to play that way.
Whilst I don't specifically believe that the team needs to play like Barcelona (for example), the ethos of Arsenal/Wenger is a pacey, driven, passing game. With someone like Cazorla pulling the string, I strongly believe that this team really should be playing a quicker, driven, passing game. Hopefully with some additions to the squad in the summer this can happen.
posted on 22/4/13
Draxler is not just a "potential" but he is already the most important and best player of the 4th best team in Germany, and has played more than 100 matches in the Bundesliga.
But who would Arsenal let go to fit him in their team? He is not a striker but plays behind a striker or at the 10 position or on the left wing. For these positions, Arsenal don't need new players.
Also, he comes from the Schalke youth and is not only loyal to the club but also important to them as a symbol of identity.