Arsenal: Isco Already Feels Like Another Missed Opportunity

Arsenal has been linked to Isco off and on for several years now, but as his exit looms, it feels as though he will be another could-have-been.

Arsenal’s obsession with collecting midfielders had not been able to spare them from the shambles that their midfield is currently in. With so many midfield specialists but so few actual reliable talents, we have witnessed a revolving door at the two holding positions and a complete deflation at the No. 10 spot.

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And to think that, coming into the season, this was our deepest position.

It may seem perfectly timed, then, that Isco is suddenly overtly considering his Real Madrid exit. There has been speculation for quite some time that he would leave and it seemed inevitable, as the collection of midfielders there was constantly expanding and always improving.

But now that he has actually declined a contract and spoken openly about his need to consider his future, there is hope for all those clubs out there looking to land the Spaniard.

That includes Arsenal, who were the first Premier League club to be linked with him back in January of 2014. It felt so right, but it never happened.

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And now that it could be right, I can’t help but feel like Isco is going to be another “I almost signed him” from Arsene Wenger. The list is expanding by the window and Isco has all the makings of another one.

While he would make a perfect addition to the Gunner’s midfield, the timing may be slightly askew, barring any major changes. Mesut Ozil is still embedded at No. 10 no matter how much he needs a bit of relief. Santi Cazorla is going to be back and Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny and Francis Coquelin aren’t going anywhere.

Chances are Ramsey and Wilshere will stay put as well, but they are less sure than the others.

The odds that Wenger would load up on Isco, therefore, are quite slim. Even with his versatility. He can play any midfield position but Wenger already loaded up on midfield talents over the past couple windows and has always stood by his wide attackers, although I’m not sure why.

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Which is why the newest Isco rumors aren’t even tying him to Arsenal. They only mention Manchester City and Chelsea as the two potential landing spots. So we have a future of watching another “he got away” talent ripping up the Premier League while our collection of “just wait for it” midfielders continue plodding away.

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