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Arsenal Need To Turn Transfer Attentions To Axel Witsel

By Josh Sippie

Jul 1, 2014; Salvador, BRAZIL; Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel (6) celebrates following the game against USA during the round of sixteen match in the 2014 World Cup at Arena Fonte Nova. Belgium defeated USA 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 1, 2014; Salvador, BRAZIL; Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel (6) celebrates following the game against USA during the round of sixteen match in the 2014 World Cup at Arena Fonte Nova. Belgium defeated USA 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Axel Witsel is receiving a hefty supply of bids from all over the globe, with AC Milan the favorites to sign the Belgian defensive midfielder but Tottenham have also thrown their hat in the ring.

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Again, Arsenal are nowhere in sight, as the Gunners’ transfer prospectus is looking incredibly bleak. If Axel Witsel is on the move then Arsene Wenger has to have all hands on deck to bring him to a Gunners side that desperately needs another holding midfielder.

Axel Witsel has always been an Arsenal fan to make matters more interesting, and he has been linked with the club in the past.

Tottenham have submitted an offer for Witsel but Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg sent Spurs packing and jacked the price of Witsel through the roof (reportedly £73 million, as his release clause states). Nobody is going to pay that for Witsel, but Zenit know that and are probably trying to ward off anyone who is not serious.

Tottenham are going all in to get either Victor Wanyama or Axel Witsel and Arsenal need to be following their neighbor’s example. The initial bid from the Spurs was reportedly around £13 million, but SkySports later took that report down. That bid is about half of what Axel Witsel expects to fetch.

Arsenal have money ready to go for an exceptional player and if he fits a need within the team, then nothing should stop their pursuit.

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Witsel is a tremendous candidate to buffer Arsenal’s midfield defensively. He has been at Zenit since 2012 after moving from Benfica and at some point, higher competition has to call his name. A career 87% passer, Witsel would provide an excellent link in Arsenal title-challenging machine – a link that is apparently missing as is.

The 26-year old also has offensive ability that Francis Coquelin does not, although it is not his calling card. 11 goals in 111 appearances is not a bad figure for a defensive midfielder in any arena (via WhoScored). He also averages near 2 tackles and 2 interceptions a game, plus his height and size make him a premium aerial threat on set pieces. All of these things Arsenal could use a little added prowess in.

With two legitimate defensive midfield options still obviously available, Arsenal should at least be able to pick out one, although it should be our choice which one we get, not a matter of who the Spurs do not get. Silence is not always a bad sign for Wenger, but it sure is not a good sign.

Next: Arsenal have to call off Mahrez pursuit

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