3 reasons why Joshua Kimmich would be an excellent signing for Arsenal

After a muted January transfer window, expectations are grand for Arsenal's summer. We're already hearing the word 'unprecedented' doing the rounds online.

We look set to embark on another period of change in north London before Mikel Arteta enters his fifth full season at the helm. No matter what happens between now and the end of the 2024/25 campaign, the Spaniard will be in charge come August.

However, Arsenal are seemingly on the brink of hiring a new sporting director and the threat of regression this term means healthy personnel turnover is inevitable. We're expecting a revolution in attack and a reshuffle in the middle of the park with two senior pros out of contract. Arteta probably won't be able to resist the acquisition of another full-back or three, too.

We're still some way from the start of the summer transfer window, but reports are starting to emerge regarding the club's potential plans. We know Martin Zubimendi is a midfielder of interest, but the Gunners are keeping an eye on Joshua Kimmich's situation at Bayern Munich.

The German international is yet to resolve his future in Bavaria, and there's a very real possibility that he departs his long-time home as a free agent this summer. Arsenal are one of several teams boasting an interest, and here are three reasons why Kimmich would be an excellent signing for the Gunners.

1. Fits the 'win now' brief

Much of Arsenal's recruitment under Arteta, especially during the years when the project took off (2021-2023), focused on youth - or, at least, on players still years away from their supposed peak.

There have been great successes, no doubt, and the club shouldn't completely ditch this strategy, but there were signs of a changing approach last summer. Mikel Merino (28) and Raheem Sterling (30) were among the players to join the club, and the squad's average age has crept up to 25.7 - eighth-youngest in the Premier League. It was the second-youngest two seasons ago.

Arsenal are no longer building. They've reached the point when they're now expected to win. As I noted, Arteta will be entering his fifth full season at the helm in August, and this project requires much more than a single FA Cup for the Spaniard to retain his near-universal backing.

By hiring former Atletico Madrid director Andrea Berta as sporting director and signing a 30-year-old Kimmich on a freebie but with sky-high wages, Arsenal are aligning themselves with the need to WIN NOW.

2. Valuable leadership

This Arsenal dressing room certainly isn't shy of leaders, although a few questions are starting to arise regarding Martin Odegaard's viability as skipper. Arteta's also set to lose a trusted lieutenant in Jorginho at the end of the season.

Thus, there will be a leadership void to fill this summer. Kimmich represents an optimal solution.

The German media have relentlessly scrutinised Kimmich's ability to lead, but the 30-year-old's peers tell you all you need to know about his capacity to inspire. “Jo [Kimmich] was the logical successor. He leads the way with his mentality," national team coach Julian Nagelsmann commented when he decided to make the midfielder his captain last year following Ilkay Gundogan's retirement.

Bayern starlet Aleksandar Pavlovic described Kimmich as a "great guy and a fantastic leader" last September, adding that the German stalwart is an impressive communicator with a fierce mentality.

Two career red cards suggest Kimmich rarely lets his drive and competitiveness veer into irrationality. He's someone you want in your team on the big occasion when the lights are at their brightest.

3. Versatility

"I see him as a top right-back, left-back, centre-back, No.6, No.8, No.10... he has qualities to be anything," Jose Mourinho once said of the Germany captain.

Kimmich's supreme versatility has meant he hasn't always been able to sparkle in the position he adores most: central midfield. Thomas Tuchel returned the stalwart to right-back during his tenure, and he scored against the Gunners in last season's Champions League quarter-final after arriving late into the box from the right flank.

Vincent Kompany has utilised Kimmich in the middle of the park this season, and he's rediscovered his very highest level with Bayern on course to reclaim the Bundesliga title. He leads the league with 58 chances created, and is an excellent unlocker of deep-lying defences from a quarterback-like position.

The 30-year-old also ranks in the 99th percentile of all midfielders in Europe's top five leagues for passes attempted (103.94), expected assists (0.29) and progressive passes (10.0) per 90 minutes this term.

Kimmich, simply put, is a marvel on the ball, and while his work in defensive transition leaves plenty to be desired, the Gunners' structural coherence is bound to mask - or at least limit - the German's flaws out of possession.

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