Arsenal: Steven N’Zonzi a Granit Xhaka improvement in one key area

Arsenal are reportedly nearing the signing of Steven N’Zonzi. If he were to arrive, the Frenchman would offer an improvement over Granit Xhaka in one key area: mobility.

The Arsenal midfield is need of bolstering. With or without Santi Cazorla, the options available to Arsene Wenger are limited to say the least. That is not to absolve Wenger of the blame: he is the one who recruits talent, sells what he deems to be sub-par players, and assembles the squad; it is up to him, to a large extent, as to what those options are.

Related Story: Arsenal Vs West Ham: Predicted starting XI

Nevertheless, there is a great need for an added body. Specifically, the Gunners require a holding midfielder. This position is seemingly been a blind spot of Wenger’s. Ever since the fazing out of Gilberto Silva, Arsenal have lacked a commanding, authoritative, combative midfielder. And it has not been for the want of trying.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Mathieu Flamini, Abou Diaby, Alex Song, Mikel Arteta, Francis Coquelin. All have been, at one point or another, heralded as the future anchorman of the Arsenal midfield. Few have had the desired success. The latest experiment at the position is a somewhat expensive one. £35 million Granit Xhaka, signed in the summer of 2016, was tasked with bringing a steel and stability to the midfield. He has, unfortunately, failed.

Although he clearly possesses some key abilities that at least make him an intriguing player, there are integral shortcomings that restrict the impact that he has on the team. His over-dependence on his left, his lack of agility and balance on the ball, his lapses in concentration, often gifting away possession thanks to sloppy mental errors. These are all issues that have held him back during his first 18 months in North London. However, perhaps none are as damaging, both to his individual level of performance and to the structure of the team, as his immobility when defending. And, ostensibly, Wenger has had enough.

Recent reports claim that, amid an argument with his manager at Sevilla that has led to him publicly admitting that he expects to leave imminently, Wenger is pursuing, and is close to agreeing, the signing of former Stoke City midfielder Steven N’Zonzi.

It is unclear whether such reports have an element of truth to them. Certainly, N’Zonzi wants to leave after falling out with Eduardo Berizzo at half-time of the remarkable 3-3 draw with Liverpool in the Champions League. But that does in no way mean that Arsenal and Wenger are interested in the player. He has played at a level that should attract managers like Wenger, and he plays in a position and style of need. But Wenger is unpredictable at the best of times in the transfer market. Remember when he nearly signed Kylian Mbappe?!

Having said that, if N’Zonzi were to arrive at the Emirates, whether it be as a replacement or partner for Xhaka, there is one crucial aspect to his game that the Swiss international lacks: mobility. N’Zonzi, thanks to his leggy frame and an excellent engine, has great range, striding through midfield, covering vast spaces quickly and efficiently. That is something that Xhaka cannot do, and it has been exposed by opposing teams on counter-attack on numerous occasions.

Next: Arsenal: 3 changes Arsene Wenger must now make

I have no idea if N’Zonzi will sign with Arsenal. No one, I believe, really does. Many of these rumours seem unfounded, for the moment. But if he were to come, which is a very realistic possibility, then it would bring an energy and business to the midfield that is desperately needed. He may not be a better player than Xhaka necessarily, but he would fulfil a particular purpose, and that might just be even more valuable.