Arsenal: It’s not often you find someone as perfect as Dennis Praet

Arsenal’s midfield is in need of some crafty solution. You don’t find many options that have no drawbacks. Dennis Praet is one such rarity.

We all love the month or so before the transfer window opens because it allows us to openly speculate about each and every player linked to Arsenal as if they deal is already done and all we have to do is fit them into the squad.

Usually, this includes debating where he would fit, who he would push out of the way, how the tactics would have to change to accommodate him, or why it may or may be the right player for what the team needs.

It’s a rare day when I look at a transfer rumor, shrug, and say “yeah, I can’t think of any reason why not to do that.”

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That’s the case with Belgian midfielder Dennis Praet. The Gunners are one of the only teams to not jump in on the golden age of Belgian football, but Praet would be an excellent introduction to their wonderful footballing prowess.

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Praet is a straight-up central midfielder that can play deeper as a pivot or further forward as an attacking mid. Obviously we’d want him to be the pivot type, as we have enough attacking mids to field another three teams.

Currently at Sampdoria, Praet has made a name for himself by being such a successful dribbler in the middle of the pitch, while also being sure-footed enough to not be a risk. He knows how to maneuver the ball forward, has that good burst of speed we have seen out of Jack Wilshere from time to time, and covers his defensive duties incredibly well, particularly when it comes to closing the ball down.

He averaged 2.7 tackles per appearance, which would have beat out every single player on Arsenal, even *cough* Granit Xhaka *cough*. He actually ended up tied for fifth in tackles won in all of Serie A, so basically, the lad knows how it’s done.

Plus, at just 24-years old, he has a long future ahead of him that can be maximized in an Arsenal midfielder that needs everything he has, right this moment, directly into the starting XI.

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And I haven’t even gotten to the best part – he reportedly has a £22m release clause in his contract, which isn’t just a good deal, it’s a veritable steal. It’s a price well within the Gunners wheelhouse, and, given that Praet is only on Sampdoria, there won’t be that same, expected disinclination because of the lack of Champions league. Europa League would be an upgrade for him.