Arsenal: 3 reasons Ruben Neves should not be signed

Arsenal are in the market for central midfielders. Probably a lot of them. With six currently on the books but anywhere up to five of them departing during the summer transfer window, reinforcements become essential. One of those should not be Ruben Neves, however.

Looking across the team, if there is one position that needs seeing to more than any other it is in central midfield. Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi will leave despite their holes not needing filling, Dani Ceballos’ loan has finished, Joe Willock remains a potential cash injection, Granit Xhaka looks primed for Roma and Mohamed Elneny is Mohamed Elneny.

Hello Thomas Partey and Miguel Azeez double pivot.

That department is set for a major overhaul and depending on outgoings, at least two new options will need to be acquired in the summer window to build a balanced squad that can launch a meaningful charge towards the Premier League top four.

Arsenal: 3 reasons Ruben Neves should not be signed in summer transfer window after links emerge

Yves Bissouma is the only name that has been heavily linked with an Emirates Stadium switch, while less concrete reports of Albert Sambi Lokonga have emerged.

More recently, Ruben Neves’ name has entered the fray. Early reports link Arsenal with making a move for the Wolves man, who with two years left on his contract is up for sale at Molinuex to help accrue some funding for incoming manager Bruno Lage.

Neves has racked up 176 appearances for Wolves across his four seasons at the club, scored 20 goals and helped guide his side to consecutive seventh place finishes in the Premier League prior to last season’s less favourable 13th place conclusion.

Someone courted by a number of clubs, the rumours have been backed up by The Athletic that Arsenal have thrown their hat into the ring (potentially agent-led interest as per some sources) which has thrown up some interesting debates.

£35m should be enough to secure his signature, but this is a move Arsenal should not pursue.

3. Ruben Neves Is Not Quick or Mobile Enough for Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is trying to mould his side into a front-footed outfit, one that can sustain pressure in attacks and be defensively organised to deal with transition given they push higher.

Ruben Neves turns no quicker than Granit Xhaka. He isn’t snails pace slow but he is far from the mobile defensive midfielder that Bissouma is, for example. The Malian makes sense in that department. He’s lightening quick across the ground, wins the ball back high up the pitch and can keep his side ticking over with his recoveries and tackles.

Gabriel and William Saliba are two defenders who will allow Arsenal to push high. They have the pace to deal with quick turnovers and mean those in front can squeeze the opposition in and retain the ball, but Arsenal have not been able to play this way effectively with Xhaka in the team. That won’t change with Neves, who will be played through too often.

Neves isn’t the ilk of player this side needs. Arsenal need midfielders (players in general) who can cover the grass at pace, carry the ball effectively and win duels across the pitch.

The 24-year-old is a top level midfielder, he just isn’t the direction Arsenal should be heading in. More energy and athleticism is needed in the centre of the park, with those points being one of the key reasons Xhaka was lambasted throughout his Arsenal career.