Arsenal: Stupid expectations are killing Marouane Fellaini sensibility

Marouane Fellaini is set to make his future clear on July 1st, and despite what you hear out there, we should be thrilled for him to come to Arsenal.

Arsenal’s transfer window has been remarkably successful despite their limited budget, and it looks like it could gain a bit more success without even less strain on the budget with Marouane Fellaini set to announce his future on July 1st.

Naturally, fans aren’t convinced. Manchester United fans can’t wait for the Belgian to leave and they would love for him to go to the Emirates, while Gooners are less than thrilled by the prospect.

I don’t full understand why. But I reckon it has something to do with what fans think that the Arsenal brain-trust wants to do with him. Or maybe they just don’t like the guy. If that’s the case, then ignore anything I’m about to say.

But in terms of practicality, it doesn’t get much more sensible than pickling up Fellaini on a free while the midfield is in dire need of bodies and the squad as a whole is in dire need of aerial ability.

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If you think that Fellaini is seen as the midfield solution at this club, then yeah, be outraged. Because he is nowhere near a solution. But as the people in charge of transfers have shown – they aren’t stupid.

If they bring in Fellaini, and that’s a big if, they are not bringing him in to build the squad around. They are bringing him in to play a bit-part role. They are bringing him in to have another big-bodied option when they need to defend a lead, or when they need that route one stuff late in a game that they need points out of.

He will be a tertiary figure, someone who is used in very specific circumstances or not at all. Not unlike Danny Welbeck, the other United cast-off. Welbeck is used very specifically, and never directly handed the keys to the attack. Because there are far better players who have those keys.

I’m no great fan of Fellaini myself. But, that said, I understand the capacities that he can be useful, and they are capacities the Gunners could find use for. Plus, I always love to believe that a player of a former rival can find new life at our club.

Next: Arsenal's End Of Season Player Rankings

Relax. This isn’t a blockbuster move because it isn’t mean to be one. It’s just a supporting role. What’s the harm?

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