Arsenal: Ian Wright absolutely nails key missed opportunity

Ian Wright has stated that Arsenal should have signed Nemanja Matic from Chelsea, not Manchester United, nailing a key missed opportunity from Arsene Wenger this summer.

The defensive midfield position has been a great struggle for Arsenal over the years. Not since the days of Gilberto Silva have they boasted a dominating, overpowering, striding anchorman who shields the back four, breaks up play like a wall against water, distributes possession and dictates the midfield with authority and assurance.

And that is not for the want of numbers. Arsene Wenger has plugged in a painful number of different players in, all playing the role with a different style, none of them able to replicate Silva’s control and confidence. Alex Song was strong and physical, but he lacked the physical discipline; Mikel Arteta, while silky smooth on the ball, couldn’t tackle; Francis Coquelin was willing and committed but his passing lacks the accuracy and variety.

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Lately, it has been the turn of Granit Xhaka. The Swiss international does have the stature and the technical skill to fulfil his duties. There is just one issue. His lack of mobility and agility mean that covering ground against counter-attacks and sweeping moves is a challenge for him, one that he sometimes fails to overcome.

If the North London outfit considered themselves genuine title challengers, then an upgrade in this area is most certainly needed. Ian Wright agrees with that statement. He also provided a solution, a solution that has already been and gone. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, this is what he had to say:

"“To see that Matic has left Chelsea and gone to Manchester, could you have tried to persuade him to stay in London? He’s in London, settled, and can you get him to come to Arsenal because that is what Arsenal need.”"

Now, I have my doubts as to whether Wenger was ever interested in Nemanja Matic. In fact, I’m almost certain he wasn’t. He is more athletic than he is technical. He’s a high profile player playing at a direct rival who would command significant wages and a large transfer fee. He’s just not his usual target.

But that does not mean that he is not a missed opportunity. The Chelsea midfielder is the perfect type of player that the Gunners should have been pursuing. Strong and powerful, he breaks up play at a consistently high level. His distribution is sound, he understands the game well and conducts those around him with a conviction that inspires confidence.

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Matic would have been a wonderful addition, a different type of player to bring a steel, rather than a style. However, it was Jose Mourinho and Manchester United that swept in and benefitted from Antonio Conte’s not wanting him, and I can only think that it was a mistake of Wenger’s to let him by.

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