Arsenal: Andreas Christensen another cast-off worth pursuing

Andreas Christensen has reportedly told Chelsea that he will demand a sale if he is not playing by Christmas. He would be another cast-off that Arsenal should consider pursuing.

Sometimes, the best moves in the transfer window come from reinventing formerly unwanted players, acquiring them on the cheap and offering them a fresh start at a new club, reinvigorating their game and inserting them into a team that improves as a result.

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Liverpool signing James Milner; Chelsea bringing in Olivier Giroud in January; Danny Welbeck moving to north London after Louis van Gaal had deemed him short of the required standard at Manchester United. And there are plenty of other examples. It is often in these transfers that the true bargains can be had.

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And there is one option that Arsenal could well exploit in the January transfer window. Andreas Christensen, former starting centre-half for Chelsea, has had to sit on the bench for much of this season thus far with Maurizio Sarri switching to a back four, rather than utilising three centre-backs like Antonio Conte. And, according to his father and agent, if he is not playing by Christmas, the defender will demand a departure:

"“If his situation doesn’t change around Christmas, we’ll obviously schedule a chat with Chelsea and say, ‘okay, what can we do for Andreas? Can we move him?’ For me it’s not a loan again. Either it’s Chelsea or else he needs to leave. I don’t think a loan is the optimal situation for Andreas. It’s sort of either or <…> I’m of the conviction that we’ll attempt to move Andreas in the winter time [if he’s not playing]. Around Christmas, something else needs to happen.”"

If Christensen and his father are serious about these claims, and they are said in no uncertain terms, suggesting that they most certainly are, then Arsenal would be wise to explore the possibility of pursuing the Danish defender, however unlikely it may be that Chelsea would sell to a direct Premier League rival.

With Laurent Koscielny and Sokratis both the wrong side of 30, Shkodran Mustafi largely unconvincing, and the only other options at the position unproven, although talented, young players, it could be a smart move for Unai Emery to bolster his long-term prospects at the position by acquiring an experienced but still relatively young Christensen.

Still only 22 years of age but with a wealth of top-class experience at the domestic, European and international level, Christensen offers a unique blend of an accomplished record and vast potential for the future. It is rare that players at 22 have played over 100 senior club games and 20 international caps, including a World Cup.

Could it ever happen? I’m not sure. Chelsea would certainly be reluctant to sell. And Arsenal may have to pay over the odds because of their rival status. But it is an avenue that should be explored. Rarely do players of Christensen quality and potential come available. It would be foolish to pass any sort of opportunity up.