Arsenal: Corentin Tolisso the perfect solution from the past

Arsenal’s need for a midfielder is taking them to the future, and back to the past, with the newest link to Corentin Tolisso. But that opportunity has already passed.

Arsenal’s multiple links to midfielders all have a few things in common – namely, like Jean Michael Seri, they are the kind of midfielder who can cover a lot of ground, contributing to both theatres of play, both offensive and defensive. This fits in with the ‘building around Aaron Ramsey’ concept that Unai Emery is going for.

Some midfielders can play that role better than others. Seri is a great candidate. He may not be the same caliber player as would be the dream signing, but let’s be honest, guys like Marco Verratti aren’t even worth wasting our time thinking about.

Then there is Corentin Tolisso. Back during his days at Lyon, I thought there was never going to be a better chance to sneak away with a midfielder who was going to be the next big thing. He was the prototypical ‘all-purpose’ midfielder, just like Ramsey, who could win the ball back, turn play up the pitch and threaten the goal just as good as anyone else.

But, in typical fashion, the perfect player chose the flashier destination, and went to Bayern Munich, the kind of club the Gunners were supposed to be able to compete against thanks to the Emirates. But I digress.

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Tolisso fought his way, tooth and nail, into the Bayern Munich starting XI and, just as we expected, he asserted himself as one of the top all-around midfielders out there. Just 25 years old, he still has so much ahead of him.

And now, he is linked to Arsenal again in what would be the most improbable move of the summer.

It goes without saying that his abilities would fit the exact specifications of what Arsenal are looking for. They need his energy, his threat to goal, his ability to defend and win the ball back. They need it all. And, in the theme of recent times at the club, he would be able to complete yet another fantastic partnership, as he would be rejoining his old friend and team mate, Alexandre Lacazette.

The rumored price is a whopping 60m. I say whopping not because he isn’t worth it – he absolutely is – but because that is more than the entire reported transfer budget of the club. Although, in all honesty, if we were to grab Tolisso and nothing else, I wouldn’t be upset. I can think of far worse ways to spend that money.

Next: 3 Youth Players That May Need To Be Ready

It’s a dream, but it’s impossible. He’s been at Bayern for a year.

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