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Sergio Busquets an Interesting Yet Unrealistic Option for Arsenal
By Josh Sippie
Sergio Busquets is the holding midfielder for the best team in Europe. It therefore makes sense to consider him one of the best holding midfielders in Europe. The Barcelona man has been the anchor of the Spanish side’s midfield since right about when his tenure with the team began in 2008. Not only that, but he appears to be injury proof, as the Spaniard has made at least 40 appearances in very single season that he has been with the club.
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In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find a more consistent midfielder than Busquets.
At 6’2″, Sergio Busquets is a physical presence that is a force to be reckoned with on set pieces as well. He is an absolutely masterful passer, as last year he continued that trend by completing over 91% of his passes. Granted, it is a bit easier to do when you play among the passing masterclass at Barcelona, but still, Sergio Busquets led the team among all players who made over 20 appearances (via WhoScored.com).
Aside from being a great passer, he is also one of the best tackling midfielders across the English Channel. He would most certainly give Francis Coquelin a run for his money and bring out the best in our French star-turned. In fact, he would virtually take over the defensive midfield role and never let it go. Which kind of defeats the purpose.
So we have established that Sergio Busquets would be phenomenal for really any team. Now, why is it unrealistic for Arsenal?
Several reasons. First of all, the market value of Sergio Busquets is about 38 million pounds. That is a bit high, seeing as how all Arsenal really need is some viable competition for Coquelin and little more. They do not need to completely revolutionize their DM spot. Francis Coquelin did such a good job last year in establishing himself as one of the best DM’s in the league that it would be completely un-Arsenal like to go out and replace him.
Granted, Busquets could play alongside Coquelin, but that would isolate Aaron Ramsey and leave him even more flustered than he was last year suiting up on the right wing while Santi Cazorla manned his favored position.
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All those things considered, Busquets is also about as Barcelona as Jack Wilshere is Arsenal. He has been with the senior club since 2008 and he was on Barcelona B before that. This is a Barcelona man and unless it is just a matter of him wanting to try the toughest league in European football, he has no motive to leave behind his lifelong club.
If you are an established member of the best club in Europe, it seems rather silly to jump ship in your prime.
Apparently Sergio Busquets was on the infamous Arsene Wenger hit list that he submitted to Lord Harris (according to the Metro), full of all the names he wanted. Naturally he would want Sergio Busquets. Who wouldn’t? But as far as a deal actually happening, it seems a bit far-fetched. Although it is nice to see that Arsene Wenger may still be interested in beefing up the defensive side of his midfield.
Next: Selling Giroud for Benzema defeats the purpose