Arsenal Should Be Happy Without N'Golo Kante

Arsenal have already landed Granit Xhaka, so while Arsene Wenger is swooning over N’Golo Kante, nothing is likely to come of it. And that should be fine.

I don’t think anyone out there can say, with any degree of certainty, what Arsene Wenger will and won’t do. Not in the transfer window, not on match day, not in cribbage. The man just doesn’t like to be predictable. Even though he sometimes turns out that way.

That being said, there are certain traits we can follow as ‘typical’ for Arsene Wenger. Signing a much-needed player before the window even opens – that’s becoming a trend. Sticking to his guns, promoting loyalty – also a trend.

Over-stocking a position that he just spent £40m+ on between two players in the span of six months is not one of his traits. And that is where we currently sit with N’Golo Kante.

Arsene Wenger was absolutely gushing over Kante’s Euro performances and for good reason, the guy has immense talent. He is as quiet as they come, but on the pitch, he is a monster. He intercepts balls like it’s the easy thing to do. It’s very noticeable that he just sees the game better than everyone else.

Needless to say, that would fit in just about anywhere. But it is too late for that to fit in at Arsenal. I would love to see Kante and Granit Xhaka playing side by side in Arsenal’s midfield, but the plausibility of that happening is very small. So small that one might say it doesn’t even exist. Plus, it’s a dicey situation even if it were to happen, but more on that later.

Wenger bought Mohamed Elneny in January and it’s clear that he’s a fan. He played him quite a bit once he finally discovered what life in the Premier League was like. Building on that signing, Wenger splurged and signed Xhaka, who many are calling the future of the club’s midfield.

Finally Arsenal have a big, strong, athletic midfielder who does just about everything – and his name is not N’Golo Kante.

Rumors are still circulating that Wenger could be after Kante as well, but we have to consider the loyalty aspect of this situation as well. Even signing Xhaka was a bit of a shock for Wenger. Arsenal have a mass of talent and more are on the way. He had already signed Elneny and with Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin and a handful of youngsters led by Jon Toral also in the picture, Wenger could have easily said he was all set in the midfield.

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But he did the sensible thing and signed a Vieira type. Someone who could bombard forward and enforce a bit in the holding position.

That other holding midfield position is going to go to whoever among that motley crew can claim it. But they will all be given their shot, because that is how Wenger works and I’m fine with that. That is how you build lifelong players.

Buying Kante after Xhaka has already been purchased would completely push out Ramsey, Wilshere and Coquelin. Maybe even Elneny too. It would also block guys like Jon Toral, who are just brimming for a chance to contribute.

Next: Granit Xhaka Passing Euros Test

So while it all sounds good, having Kante and Xhaka, Arsenal have to consider the long-term effects. Let’s stick with Xhaka and whoever else can slide in alongside him.

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Arsenal Should Be Happy Without N’Golo Kante

By Josh Sippie | Jun 19, 2016

Arsenal have already landed Granit Xhaka, so while Arsene Wenger is swooning over N’Golo Kante, nothing is likely to come of it. And that should be fine.

More from Pain in the Arsenal