Arsenal: Julian Draxler loan move just delays the inevitable

Arsenal, per L’Equipe, are exploring the possibility of bringing in Julian Draxler on loan. But the move, if completed, only delays the inevitable. A more permanent solution must be found to the Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil conundrum. A loan is not sufficient.

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will leave Arsenal. That is a truth that is becoming increasingly clear as the season progresses. It is difficult to see any other end to the saga that has seen their futures be the cornerstone of controversy that has threatened to engulf this club on a number of occasions.

That should not be surprising. In fact, it is now the expectation. For the Gunners then, while their short-term focus still includes the pair, looking not even that far into the future has to include a pathway towards replacing the duo in the transfer window. There is not the sufficient quality in the squad to simply absorb their exit.

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And everyone is aware of this need to replace. That is why the media are rife with rumours of possible targets that Arsene Wenger may target to succeed either of the pair. One of those names, who has been doing the rounds for many, many months, Julian Draxler, is again being linked with a North London move, but in a very different structure to what has been previously reported.

Per L’Equipe in France, Wenger is contemplating the possibility of bringing the unsettled and unhappy Paris Saint-Germain midfielder to the Emirates on loan. Given that his playing time has been significantly reduced since the remarkable signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the summer, the school of thought is Draxler would want to move to a team where he is playing regularly, a problem that is even more pertinent in a World Cup year.

But for Arsenal, would a loan move actually resolve their own issues in trying to replace Sanchez and Ozil? Surely, it simply delays the need for a more permanent solution?

That is true. A Draxler loan only really makes sense if one of Sanchez and Ozil leave in the January window and Wenger feels that he needs a top-tier attacking to tie him over until the summer. In that scenario, while a far from perfect answer, a loan move would serve at least some purpose.

The long-term issue would still remain, however. Even if Draxler was to join on a six-month loan, Arsenal would still need to be active in the summer market to find a more concrete replacement. Now, if Wenger feels that he cannot find that player in the January window and would rather wait until the summer, then a Draxler loan does make sense. But that does not mean that a solution has been successfully found.

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The inevitable is only delayed. Wenger cannot patch the scraps that Sanchez and Ozil leave behind together and hope that they turn into title-winners. He must provide an assertive and certain solution, and a Draxler loan, while providing more time for him to find that, is not that.

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