In short, Youri Tielemans does not start for Arsenal right now. No, this isn’t some Granit Xhaka propaganda piece it is just the reality of the situation.
If the choice was between starting Xhaka or Tielemans for Arsenal in their next game, there should be little-to-no debate about which of the pair is chosen. That said, with the form of the Swiss midfielder, you’d be hard-pressed to find a legitimate reason to swap him out unless somehow the Gunners managed to pluck, let's say, Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona – highlighting just how relieved I am that the Dutchman appears not to be joining Manchester United or Chelsea, touch wood.
It's important to add that this is not a piece undermining the abilities of Tielemans either. I like Tielemans, a lot.
READ MORE: Granit Xhaka completes Arsenal turnaround as Mikel Arteta’s transfer decision vindicated
His dynamism, progressive play and ability to win a game with a strike from range are amongst the categories I am looking for in a player who can compete with and upgrade upon Xhaka. However, the beginning of this and the previous season have somewhat muddied the view I had of the 25-year-old.
Granted, it appears his unrest has perhaps played a role in his dip in form but that in itself raises some questions. football.london understands that the Gunners remain interested in signing the Belgian but so far, no official bid has been made.
There is an opening in the midfield for a player of Tielemans’ ilk. But it is just the one role of this type, hence why whoever Arsenal commit investment to, this would be it.
Unlike their potential future title-challenging counterparts Manchester City, investments the Gunners make need to work. Throwing £30 million down the drain after previous years of poor spending needs to remain in the past.
This is where my issue with the potential Tielemans deal arises. For me, Arsenal could do better.
Arsenal could try to sign a player whereby there isn’t a debate or a discussion to be had about whether they start over Granit Xhaka. For all the good the 29-year-old midfielder brings, upgrading upon him represents the club signing a serious midfielder.
Names? You ask. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is up there with the best in his position.
Further to him, Nicolo Barella of Inter Milan or Lucas Paqueta of Lyon. Both these two and Milinkovic-Savic would cost a huge amount of money which perhaps the club do not have this summer for this position.
However, all of them start in this new advanced left-sided eight role Mikel Arteta has established in the side. Xhaka would need to play out of his skin until his career at the club ends to legitimately keep them out of the club’s best eleven.
The likelihood of the Gunners having the additional funds, on top of the prospective financial weight to move for priority wide man Pedro Neto, is very unlikely. And here lies the dilemma.
Sign Tielemans now, add the strength in depth Arsenal clearly need, but at the same time potentially close to door on an even better player for 2023 when the club could afford it with even the potential draw of Champions League football. Or wait, but then risk lacking the depth this season.
It’s a tough one but that is the situation. football.london would love to know your thoughts on this, leave your position on this in the comment section below.
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