Arsenal: Adrien Rabiot the last hope before desperation

Arsenal’s midfield situation may well have to be addressed before September, which means we better land someone we actually want before we get desperate.

Arsenal seemed to have so many options for midfield bolstering going into the summer transfer window. But when William Carvalho and Marcelo Brozovic re-emerged, I realized that perhaps we were at risk of missing out on a potentially dynamic signing and instead landing a desperation signing.

I never used to get worried about Arsene Wenger making a desperation signing. It wasn’t his thing. He’d sooner starve the club of needed foot soldiers than buy someone he wasn’t sure of. But recently I’ve begun to wonder if he has made more than we think.

Danny Welbeck, for instance, more or less worked out, but that entire escapade played out like the spitting image of desperation. Wenger waited until the very last moment to land the guy.

Lucas Perez is obviously another. With Welbeck out and Olivier Giroud set to miss time, Wenger needed literally anyone and he chose Lucas. Now it’s becoming the worst move of the Spaniard’s career.

I’d even argue that Shkodran Mustafi was a desperation signing, as he was purchased after injury fears set in at the back, but you won’t hear me complaining about that move. Ever.

As it stands, with Leon Goretzka and Jean Michael Seri both reportedly off the table, Adrien Rabiot is all that stands between the Gunners and the potential of landing a one-dimensional William Carvalho or an overrated Marcelo Brozovic.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

And I take this very seriously. Because as Wenger has shown, once he buys a player, the chances of that same player making a quick exit is slim to none. Ask Lucas.

So whoever we sign is going to be a part of this first team and I’d hate to see it wasted on someone that we don’t actually need or someone that is going to be quickly proven inadequate.

Unfortunately, I see Carvalho as far from what is needed and I see Brozovic as someone who will be exposed.

Rabiot is the remaining link that has not been shot down. If anything, it has been encouraging, as the rumored price is (somehow) a fraction of what the other midfield options would cost. He wouldn’t even cost much more than Brozovic, if you’re buying into the rumor.

While the Rabiot rumor did seem to reemerge with these other two, the Rabiot link is actually enticing because of the diversity of talents that he brings. He isn’t a defensive midfielder. He isn’t undersized. He is actually quite a strong lad with a wide array of abilities.

Next: Arsenal's Predicted FIFA 18 Player Ratings

There are times where it’s okay to not make a signing if it isn’t the right one, and while I do worry about that coming to pass, it beats having someone who isn’t right taking up that space for the long haul.

Home/Arsenal Transfer Rumours