Arsenal: Everton’s Idrissa Gueye checks all the boxes

Arsenal fans have been crying out for a high energy defensive midfielder for ages. Is Everton’s Idrissa Gueye the right man for the job?

Arsenal continually sign quality players going forward. But defensive signings are a completely different matter. The midfielders at the club mainly consist of players who contribute primarily to the attacking end of the pitch.

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Players like Granit Xhaka are given unfair criticism due to the fact they are expected to do a job they’re not capable of. A new, hardworking and no-nonsense defensive midfielder, like Idrissa Gueye, then, is critical if the gunners want any chance of improving.

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In modern day football, the ‘Makelele role’ is arguably the most important position on the pitch. Gueye has earned himself the spotlight on many occasions for his hard work and defensive reliance. Known for his impressive tackling ability, as well as being a bit of a bad boy, he has impressed at the heart of the Everton midfield. Since joining the Toffees in 2016, he has picked up a remarkable 26 yellow cards. Not only is his gameplay dirty and nasty, but it is said that he’s also had rifts with teammates such as Jordan Pickford.

In Everton’s disappointing loss to Burnley earlier this season, the Senegalese tank confronted Pickford. The young, English keeper made an absolute howler. Gueye, evidently, was not happy about it. He would bring an aggression to Arsenal’s midfield that is clearly lacking.

Players like Jack Wilshere and  Aaron Ramsey are often wrongfully criticized for not defending. Most midfielders at Arsenal are not primarily defensive players. Despite the sale of Francis Coquelin, the Gunners have not brought in a replacement.

If Gueye was to start on a consistent basis, the players in our current midfield would be free to express themselves, akin to the work of N’Golo Kante at Chelsea and Leicester City. He’s just what is required.

Perhaps what is most enticing about this move is that it could actually happen. Despite the hard-hitting midfielder signing a new contract until 2022, there is no doubt that he could be lured away. In fact, Everton are supposedly already looking for possible replacements such as Petrus Boumal from Ural Yekaterinburg. Gueye would be a great, cheap signing as opposed to players like Fabinho who would most likely cost £60 million.

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Gueye would be an incredibly intelligent signing. The one-sided, nonathletic midfield could use a player like the Senegal native. He’s ideal for this team. Unfortunately, though, given the historical ignorance to the defensive side of the game, there is more chance of Ousmane Dembele making his way to North London than Idrissa Gueye.