Arsenal: 6 Cut-Price Transfers to Fill Dani Ceballos’ Boots

Konrad Laimer – £23m

Another Bundesliga name not often discussed, Konrad Laimer is the beating heart of the Leipzig midfield. While not as flashy as Dani Olmo and Christopher Nkunku, or as well-renowned as long-time Arsenal target Marcel Sabitzer, he’s as talented or skilled as any of them.

The Austrian is literally the focal point of Germany’s most vibrant pressing scheme. RB Leipzig made it to their first ever UCL semi-final this week, primarily due to their tactical intensity. Konrad Laimer is a key cog in that machine.

Originally, Laimer was employed as a pure midfield pivot, but when former teammate Diogo Demme departed for Napoli, he took up a more defensive role. He is often the first distribution option for center-backs, akin to Ceballos, and is the key player in breaking down the press. According to the stats, he is the best passer in the entire squad while under pressure.

During spells of extended possession, Laimer uses his athleticism and speed to press higher up the pitch than his midfield partner, throttling opposition counter attacks and recycling possession. He typically operates in a two-man midfield, or as the deep-lying midfielder, flanked by two wing-backs.

Pros of Signing Laimer

He can do pretty much everything. Having trained his whole life in the RB system, he’s one of the best pressing midfielders in the world. He was among the leaders in the Bundesliga this season in number of presses, and topped the league with his success rate.

His high-intensity style will translate well into the Premier League, offering spark and drive to the Arsenal midfield. He’s tactically and positionally flexible, and works very well in a number of formations, even as they might change mid-match.

He plays best with more creative midfielders around him, but he will flourish in the Arteta system if he is allowed to lead the high press and control central areas. He also plays best on the right side of the midfield, like Ceballos. The 23-year-old is the ideal replacement for Ceballos, as soon as you remove the creative mantle from the Spaniard’s head.

Cons of Signing Laimer

He’s an amazing box-to-box midfielder, but his creativity is lacking. While he is skilled in possession, and is an incredible asset in transition, he is not the player who will provide the final ball, or a reaching pass. He doesn’t lose the ball often, but he also doesn’t take many risks, or provide individual moments of magic

Laimer basically gives us the what we saw from Ceballos during the restart, and for £10m less, but he is a poor substitute for a creative number eight. He plays like a combination of Fernandinho and Aaron Ramsey, and we’d be lucky to have him, but should not sign him to create chances for the team.