Arsenal: Leon Goretzka the Alexis Sanchez/Mesut Ozil mirror

With Leon Goretzka’s contract expiring next summer, Arsenal can mirror their issues with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil and complete an extraordinary swoop.

The contract mismanagement at Arsenal has been criminal. From allowing Arsene Wenger to dictate his own future, to the extent that, had he not signed a new two-year deal, however unpopular that decision was, the club would have been thrust into a pit of utter despair and uncertainty with a rocky future ahead of them, to the raft of players who are, or have already, entered the final year or two of their contracts, the indecision and doubt that has reigned in North London now places the club on a precipice, off which, if they fall, the titles and trophies that they crave only become more a distant hope and dream, not the realistic possibility that the club claims them to be.

The two most prominent names on which the contract crisis has been, justifiably, hung are Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. They have epitomised the recent era at the Emirates, with moments of sheer genius and times of thorough frustration. But their respective contracts expire in the summer of 2018; at that point, they will be able to walk off into the sunset without Arsenal receiving even a penny.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

That, for an organisation of the size, stature and professionalism of Arsenal, is criminal. And they have rightly been heavily scrutinised and criticised for their handling of the situation. It is somewhat baffling, from an outside perspective, how such a dastardly situation has been able to develop without any significant action taken to try and prevent it. Nevertheless, that is the position that they are in; they must now live with that.

Thankfully, the Gunners are not the only ones with their contract problems. German club Schalke are also facing the prospect of losing their most valuable and talented player next summer for nothing. Leon Goretzka, at just 22 years of age, has been the subject of interest from several clubs across the continent, namely, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

Well, per recent reports, Wenger is also interested in making an attempt to sign the illustriously gifted midfielder. It has been suggested that Goretzka is only interested in a switch to Munich or Barcelona, and given that there will be no fee to pay, there is sure to be an intense fight for his signature. However, Arsenal are one of the teams in the hunt, however unlikely it is that they win. And so they should be.

Goretzka is one of the most talented young central midfielders in world football. Flourishing in a free-roaming box-to-box role, he has the all-around game to blossom in the Premier League. He is deceptively quick and powerful, with an excellent engine, he is technically sound, boasts a soft and subtle touch, has good distribution, both short and long, and has the intelligence, the vision and the understanding that his years would belie. He is the perfect successor to Santi Cazorla.

Next: Arsenal Vs West Brom: Predicted starting XI

Now, do I think that Arsenal are now going to sign Goretzka? Of course not. This is Arsenal we are talking about. But it should be an option that they explore over the coming months. Flipping the switch, turning the tables, countering the narrative, of their contract crisis, would certainly be no bad thing.

Home/Arsenal News