Arsenal: Grzegorz Krychowiak could be steal of century

With Unai Emery now in charge at Arsenal, it is natural to consider some of his past players as possible transfer targets. There is one that strikes me as a possible steal of the century: Grzegorz Krychowiak.

Arsenal’s need for a defensive midfielder. I feel like I have been banging on about for a decade. That’s because I have, which says, in equal amounts, how obsessed I am with the position and its importance and how inept this club has been at recognising and addressing its weaknesses.

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The latest experiment in the position was Granit Xhaka. He has, in fairness, showed promise. He reads the game well, until he falls asleep, his range of passing is exemplary, if a little inconsistent at times, and he provides a nice tempo to the team’s play, though can struggle if pressed high up the pitch.

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That said, there are key shortcomings in his game that will forever inhibit him being the top-tier defensive midfielder that Arsenal require to shield an already vulnerable and somewhat sub-standard defence. So that got me thinking. Who, realistically, could the Gunners pursue and acquire this summer to improve upon Xhaka in this position?

It made sense, I believe, to look at players who new manager Unai Emery has worked with in the past, to see if there is an individual that he likes, could be available to sign in this window, and plays the position of defensive midfielder in the new system that will be implemented next season.

And, there was. Or rather, there is. Unfortunately, he has just been relegated with West Bromwich Albion and has publicly stated that Emery deceived him when he brought him to Paris Saint-Germain. Nevertheless, I believe that there is a degree of potential in this player that could be worth exploring.

I am referring to Grzegorz Krychowiak, a Polish midfielder who flourished under Emery at Sevilla and then floundered under Emery at PSG after he was brought to the French capital under the pretence that he would be afforded the game time that he never got.

Krychowiak is far from the perfect candidate. He would not have been loaned out to West Brom if he was. But the issues that he has had in recent years, stemming largely from limited appearances, could be worked to Arsenal’s benefit. As he prepares to re-join PSG, a place that he is unlikely to find favour and game time, unless if new manager Thomas Tuchel is enamoured with him, there is the opportunity that the now 28-year-old could be available on the cheap, something that will be music to Ivan Gazidis’ ears given the likely financial restraints.

Now, I am not saying that Krychowiak is the solution to all of Arsenal’s midfield problems. He absolutely isn’t. But there are a great many holes to fill this summer, ranging from goalkeeper to full-back; centre-half to winger, and the £200 million spending spree that some other clubs can enjoy to fill all of those holes will not be happening in north London. A more pragmatic and cost-friendly approach is needed.

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Perhaps, then, solving one need, at least partially, but at a much cheaper price than some other options is precisely what is required. And that is the beauty of Krychowiak. All his problems make him cheap. He is a risk, certainly. And he and Emery would have to resolve their own, personal differences. But he could also be the steal of the century.