Arsenal: Don't we already have Jean Michael Seri?

Arsenal’s midfield needs solutions, arguably more than anywhere else in the starting lineup. But is Jean Michael Seri really the best? We have him already, no?

Arsenal’s central midfield has very few reliable names in their midst. As of writing, they really only have two on the books – Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny. Aaron Ramsey is expected to extend, but that isn’t set in stone yet, and Jack Wilshere seems sure to leave.

As such, being linked (again) to Jean Michael Seri is no great surprise. He is an athletic, all-purpose midfielder that can contribute to the attack just as much as he can to the defense. And he does it all because of his intense work rate.

Now 26, Seri is ready for that next step in his career, which he sees as the Premier League (who doesn’t?), and given the opening the Gunners have, it only makes sense.

Does it though? In case you, the reader, hasn’t noticed, I just remembered, earlier this week, that the Gunners have this guy named Ainsley Maitland-Niles. At 22-years-old, he is a fantastic talent that the Gunners can definitely build around, particularly in the midfield.

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In fact, given just how much this club is trying to save in the transfer market this summer, I would not be surprised in the least if Unai Emery, in his infinite knowledge of the team (apparently), at one point or another in the interview, mentioned that a central midfielder ‘star’ was not required, because Maitland-Niles was going to fill that role.

Seeing Max Meyer pass by untouched, and then the subsequent links to young midfielders like Yacine Adli, or budget, defensive options like Grzegorz Krychowiak, made me think that they might not be too adamant on finding a central midfielder.

And why would that be? Well, it surely isn’t because of a surplus of central midfielders. It’s because they saw other options – namely what Maitland-Niles provides.

Which, by the way, is the exact same kind of thing Seri would provide as well – athleticism, multipurpose talents, etc. But the upside, much like when compared with Wilshere, is with Maitland-Niles.

Next: 3 Reasons To Sell Danny Welbeck

Plus, Seri would have that annoying acclimation period that may see him fall into a position where he is even less effective than Maitland-Niles in the present day. Give youth a chance right? That philosophy becomes pretty applicable here.

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Arsenal: Don’t we already have Jean Michael Seri?

By Josh Sippie | Jun 8, 2018

Arsenal’s midfield needs solutions, arguably more than anywhere else in the starting lineup. But is Jean Michael Seri really the best? We have him already, no?

More from Pain in the Arsenal