Arsenal’s cut-price Corentin Tolisso gamble from Bayern Munich

Come the summer, Arsenal will need midfielders. If they could, they’d bring more in now. How far the net has been cast will only be known behind the scenes, as the futures of their current crop are anything but certain. Who could they bring in? Well, one potential option at the end of the season comes in the form of World Cup winner Corentin Tolisso.

The Frenchman will be known to Arsenal supporters – aside from his contributions to Bayern Munich and his role in the 2018 World Cup – given his previous links to north London.

As recently as last summer the central midfielder was among the targets the Gunners had in mind, eventually staying put in Bavaria as Thomas Partey joined on deadline day and other clubs cooled their interest.

Arriving at Bayern from Lyon for a fee in the region of £40m, Corentin Tolisso made 40 appearances on his way to a Bundesliga title before suffering a devastating ACL injury in the following campaign. Since battling back from his issue there has been no dislodging the world-class pairing of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretska in midfield, severely limiting his playing time.

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Arsenal will have the chance to sign Corentin Tolisso from Bayern on a cut-price fee in the summer transfer window – but, should they take the gamble?

Still accumulating 50 outings in the last season and a half, Tolisso has continued to be beset with niggling injuries that have brought his absentee total to 61 matches at Bayern. A worrying figure.

With just one year left to run on his deal when the campaign concludes, German outlet Sport1 have revealed he is up for sale to accommodate Die Roten’s pursuit of Eduardo Camavinga. Even if the French wonderkid is not acquired in the summer, Bayern want to sell the 26-year-old instead of extending his contract.

If there is ever a player who needs a fresh start, Tolisso is that man. On song there are few box-to-box midfielders who can match his range of pass an classy on-field demeanour.

What would hold Arsenal back?

Arsenal Concerns With Corentin Tolisso

There is no glossing over his injury record. It’s enough to put off most of Europe, hence why so few of the sides in the top five divisions have been linked with his signature.

Everything ranging from ankle surgery and knee problems to calf strains and muscle soreness have limited his impact at the Allianz Arena, a true shame for someone who arrived with the wind in his sails and adapted to German football efficiently upon his signing.

Suffering these injuries at an early stage of his career has prevented him from building a head of steam, stalling his overall development and integration in Germany. Age-wise, Arsenal may want someone younger than Tolisso, who will be 27 come the summer, which is why the likes of Yves Bissouma hold greater appeal even beyond is injury record.

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Some concerns have been raised over his discipline, as while he’s only started one of the previous six Bundesliga matches, two of those absences were due to him being found guilty of breaching COVID-19 restrictions to get a tattoo. Sounds familiar, but hardly much to shout about.

Then, on the occasions he has had the chance to prove his worth, the result has been fairly disappointing. How much of that is down to being in the shadow of his fellow outstanding midfield teammates and not being presented with a consecutive run of games must be considered.

In Arsenal’s case they would be looking for a teammate to partner Partey, and with both being right-footed, balancing issues could emerge. Tolisso is not a No. 6 who sits all game, but someone who likes to push up behind the creative midfielder and use his exemplary lofted pass to great effect. Box-to-box.

Given the symmetry that has come from Granit Xhaka being to the left of Partey and using his favoured foot, that could be disrupted.

However, Arsenal need depth in that department. Players challenging for a starting berth and who can contributed across a whole season. Right now, Mohamed Elneny is behind Xhaka in the pecking order and there is no replacement for Partey. That says it all.

Is Corentin Tolisso a Gamble Worth Taking for Arsenal?

There are obvious concerns that shroud any move for Tolisso. But, strip all the negativity back and you’re presented with an exceptional central midfielder that needs both a change of scenery and a run of games – maybe some new legs, too.

Someone who can dictate a game from midfield, he is constantly stretching opposition sides with his range of distribution, the like that incites fear and overcompensation into the opponents. With that string to his bow, he can then cause a stir with a separate array of skills. Armed with a fierce shot, his goalscoring ability from that area of the pitch is weapon Arsenal have lacked since the departure of Aaron Ramsey.

The lack of goals from midfield in north London has been an ever-present issue since the Welshman, whereas Tolisso is coming up to 50 in his career at just over 250 outings. Whether from distance or after a late surge into the box, he’d add a different dimension in the side.

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Well-rounded and adept at one and two-touch football, his dynamism would slot in nicely in Arteta’s fluid system, not least since he’s played in a variety of positions in his career from left-winger to holding midfield.

What will put Tolisso down the pecking order when compared to other targets is his lack of Premier League experience. It’s a valid point, but he’ll dangle his World Cup, Champions League and countless German domestic medals in your face in riposte.

In terms of fee, Bayern know they can’t hold anyone to ransom for someone with his injury record and length of contract remaining. With the quoted fee last summer thought to be in the region of £30m, a healthy reduction can be expected this time around. He could, in theory, be brought in for what Lucas Torreira may leave for.

Can Arsenal see past the injuries? Previous regimes have overlooked broken backs. Should they see past the injuries, take the player for what he can be, snap at a cut-price fee and take experience over promise and youth?

Tolisso is an undoubted upgrade on what Arsenal have. Dani Ceballos is an inconsistent option on a permanent deal for a similar fee and Elneny looks certain to depart. The need for quality in that department is high up on the list of priorities. However, those pesky injuries strike fear into the heart.

If the Frenchman can shake them off and join for a bargain, it’s a nailed-on move. Big if, though, as Arsenal are in no position to be splashing their cash on keeping the treatment room warm. There’s enough of that already.