Arsenal: £26 million Arda Turan only worth it in specific circumstances

Arsenal have reportedly lodged a £26 million for Arda Turan. The Barcelona midfielder, while a talented player, is only worth it in specific circumstances.

I believe you’d be hard-pressed to find many Arsenal fans that do not feel the squad needs bolstering this summer, especially in attacking areas. After a lacklustre slump through February and March saw them humiliatingly exit the Champions League, drop out of the title race and even slip out of the top four, there were vociferous shouts for significant change from a growing porting of the fan base.

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The change that many wanted, started with Arsene Wenger and Stan Kroenke. However, after Wenger signed a new two-year deal with the club in the days after a remarkable FA Cup final win over Chelsea, that change is not set to come. But that does not mean that an element of the much-needed new cannot be welcomed in.

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One aspect of the club that is need of a refreshing is the attacking personnel. Even with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez remaining at the club, Arsenal are still short of a leading centre-forward, someone who can consistently score goals, driving towards the team towards a genuine and sustained title challenge, and lack an instigator and inventor opposite of Sanchez.

However, if their attacking troubles were not worrying enough, there is a great reason to believe that Sanchez, and potentially Mesut Ozil also, will not be at the club next season. If that is the cae, then not only must the aforementioned additions be made, but sufficient replacements must also be found for Sanchez, Ozil and anyone else who departs.

That brings me to the recent reports suggesting that a £26 million bid has been made for unwanted and unused Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan. Whether the reports are founded in the truth or not, I do not know. It would be pure speculation for me to say either way. However, there does seem to be an element of interest from Wenger in the player, given the nature, the consistency and the number of reports that have linked the Turkish international with a move to the Emirates in the past.

Turan would be an astute addition as a compliment to the skills of Ozil and Sanchez. As a trio, playing behind a centre-forward, they would compromise a dynamic, fluid, dangerous attacking midfield. But if Wenger sees Turan as the impending Sanchez replacement, then he will be disappointed. First and foremost, he is already 30 years of age. Secondly, he lacks the drive and the athleticism to provide the same impetus and intensity to attacking moves that Sanchez brings. And finally, he lacks the top class pedigree to carry an aura of confidence and self-assuredness as many big-name signings do.

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Ultimately, Turan does not represent the revolution that fans are calling for. Evolution, yes. But not revolution. That may be enough to mount a serious title challenge. It may also be enough to continue falling behind the progression of Chelsea, Manchester City et al. Ultimately, Turan is worth it, but only in specific circumstances, and I fear Wenger is trying to sign him for something that he isn’t.