Arsenal add surprise option to summer transfer wishlist

While it’s only three first team players who are injured, the impact that the absences of Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey has had on Arsenal has been profound.

The team fell apart without the former two against Crystal Palace and then crumbled against Brighton without all three, leaving many to question the decision to thin the squad further over the winter window.

In the case of some of the departures there are arguments to make over the decision-making, although in regards to the three starters who are out there are backups in the squad for a reason. However, the reality is that the understudies are a considerable drop-off in quality.

Work will be done to cater to that in the summer, but it isn’t just elite calibre signings the club will be looking to bring in as across the whole squad there is a lack of depth.

Arsenal add surprise option to summer transfer wishlist with Hoffenheim’s Florian Grillitsch a target to play in midfield and central defence

The hope remains that some form of European football will be on the cards for Arsenal and therefore it becomes essential they fill gaps when even more gaps are expected to appear. Mohamed Elneny is one example who will need replacing in the squad, and the Telegraph have listed a surprise name on Arsenal’s wishlist.

Hoffenheim’s Florian Grillitsch is being eyed up this summer alongside fellow European and even Champions League competing outfits, partly on account of his contract situation.

The 26-year-old is set to be among the growing number of Bosman transfers at the end of the season with his current deal set to expire in the next few months. The richly experienced Austrian is into his seventh top-flight campaign – all coming in the Bundesliga – while he’s also made over 30 appearances for his national side.

Despite clear ability, it’s a new, and therefore refreshing name, to emerge among the endless sea of reported striker targets Arsenal fans are bombarded with.

Listed as someone to come in and bolster the midfield, Grillitsch has also played centre-back on numerous occasions for Hoffenheim, with this season seeing him feature more times in defence than he has in midfield.

A progressive passer and carrier, what the Austrian lacks in goal threat he makes up for in ball retention and build-up. Solid passing metrics at all ranges, his 99th percentile passing accuracy for long balls is particularly enticing. On the whole he’s someone who can move the ball up the pitch through various means, while off the ball he averages a solid 4.81 tackles and interceptions p/90.

Mikel Arteta favours players who can operate in multiple positions as it suits into the positional play model, as well as allows him to keep his squad as small and manageable as possible. Thus, a new recruit who can slot into central defence or slip on Elneny’s third choice holding midfield boots wouldn’t go amiss.

There is competition for his signature, he does turn 27 years old in the summer and some discussions would need to be had over his wage packet as Bosman deals can become expensive in regards to salaries, but he’s certainly an interesting option on an initial free deal.