Could This Outcast Brazilian Be The Player Arsenal Need?

Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo has been a peripheral figure in Germany so far this season despite good form when he has featured. Should Arsenal consider him a potential transfer target?

It has recently been contemplated that for all of Arsenal’s stylish football that perhaps the team is too lightweight; in particular in the midfield areas where the likes of Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla currently operate. While Abou Diaby does add extra steel to the team when he features that does depend on him actually featuring; with his sketchy injury record even the most optimistic of Arsenal fans struggles to see him playing over 30 games in a season.

The market is currently quiet in terms of who Arsenal could well bring in; Momo Diame of West Ham is considered their most likely avenue. Available at a cut-price £3.5 million via a release clause he could certainly fill the gap perfectly. However the complications with a pre-existing heart condition are a daunting task to take on board; one which Arsenal could do well to avoid.

Yet is there a perfect option out there in the form of Luiz Gustavo of Bayern Munich.

In December he was linked with a potential move to The Emirates in the Daily Mail and when you investigate a potential deal it certainly makes sense.

The tall and combative defensive midfielder fits the mould for what Arsenal need and is also a perfect fit for the football they currently play. A superb passer of the ball he is composed in possession and has played at a high level in the Bundesliga for the past few seasons.

The arrival of Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao however has seen his stock fall at the Bundesliga leaders. Last season he featured in 38 games for the Bavarians yet this term he has only featured in nine Bundesliga matches.

Any question of his exile being down to form should be ignored. In the six games in which the Brazilian has featured for the entire 90 minutes Bayern have won all six; scoring 21 goals and conceding just two goals in those fixtures.

Add to his repertoire an aerial threat from set-pieces due to his height and you have yourself the type of player that Arsenal could really do with in their current circumstances.