Arsenal: Geoffrey Kondogbia proof that lightning can strike twice

Arsenal missed a massive opportunity Geoffrey Kondogbia rejected the Gunners for Inter in 2015, but another chance may be about to pass.

It would take you a good day or two to compile a list consisting of all the players Arsenal have missed out on over the years, but one of the more recent ones is Geoffrey Kondogbia. After showcasing his talents against the Gunners in the Champions League, the French midfielder was sold to Inter in 2015.

At a fee of around £28m, Inter were able to secure the Frenchman’s signature, while the Gunners offer was rejected. Kondogbia is that Patrick Vieira type midfielder with all the tools to be a success and given how long we have waited for that, it couldn’t come a moment too soon.

Kondogbia never really settled at Inter despite registering nearly 4000 minutes there in two seasons, and has since been spending the year at Valencia, where he noted that he has found his confidence in himself again. Which is always a good thing. But these reports are being doubled-up on by SkySports noting interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs are apparently seeking an inevitable replacement for Dembele and you can’t do much better than Kondogbia.

This is why I am bringing him to the attention of everyone here. Kondogbia’s contract is up at the end of the year and as such, he has to be viewed as ready for a move. While a permanent move to Valencia would make complete sense and has been talked about by his agent, there’s no reason to think that a once-interested Arsenal wouldn’t be interested again.

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The only potential hindrance would be the presence of Granit Xhaka, who plays the same position. But in an interest of both competition and creating a better partnership, Kondogbia serves a perfect purpose of being able to play next to Xhaka while allowing Ramsey to play one of the two forward attacking roles.

There aren’t many better opportunities for a midfielder than to be the long-awaited Vieira heir, and that’s exactly what Kondogbia would be looking at. He could walk right into the starting XI, provide the solidity that we have been sorely missing, and embed himself in the hearts of Gooners around the world right from the off.

The only potential stumbling block is Valencia. If that is what he really wants, then that is what he will really have.

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In the mean time though, if Spurs are going to be snapping at him, Arsenal will have to do the same.

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