Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Grzegorz Krychowiak Fate Sealed

Arsenal is yet again tied to the Polish tank, Grzegorz Krychowiak, but the midfielder’s fate was sealed when he joined PSG.

Arsenal was heavily tied to Grzegorz Krychowiak last January. With a need for midfield reinforcement, the Polish bruiser was openly speaking about a potential move to the Emirates. He never shot down the idea and acknowledged that he just wants to keep improving.

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It seemed destined to happen, especially given his close friendship with Wojciech Szczesny. Even when Mohamed Elneny was purchased, there was still this subtle belief that a bigger name midfielder was coming.

Well, a bigger name did come, only in the form of the younger Granit Xhaka, who is now our midfield commander in charge of making the game tick.

And yet, with Krychowiak struggling for time at his chosen destination, PSG, the links are returning.

The question writes itself – could Arsenal double up on then midfield bruisers and land the Pole to compliment the Swiss?

No. You shouldn’t even have to think about it. Krychowiak sealed his fate when he moved to PSG. I have no doubts that there were extensive talks to bring him to North London, but it seems pretty clear what happened. Granit Xhaka happened.

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Much more versatile and with a higher ceiling, Wenger found his man in Xhaka and no one was going to get in the way. And make no mistake about it, Krychowiak could never have been what Xhaka is. The passing is the main separation between the two. Krychowiak is a bruiser through and through. While Xhaka has enforcer tendencies, he is also a fantastic passer.

Still though, I found myself fantasizing about the possibility of a Xhachowiak midfield. Can you imagine the power that is stored within that holding duo? Slow, maybe, but mean, fierce and fearless. That would be a force to be reckoned with.

But that excludes Francis Coquelin who, given the new contract extension, is clearly not one to be excluded. And for just cause. He has the athleticism that the Xhachowiak duo just doesn’t. And while Xhachowiak is incredibly fun to say and the perks are there, it doesn’t really fit with Wenger’s ideal midfield, which is always going to involve plenty of creativity and athleticism.

Xhachowiak doesn’t have that. And while Xhaka is working towards being the ideal midfielder, he isn’t there yet.

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Krychowiak will touch down in England at some point in his career, but barring something bizarre, it won’t be at Arsenal.

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