Arsenal are the latest side to join the race for one Bundesliga star who has sparked high interest following the exploits of his previous season in the German top flight.
Mikel Arteta’s side is looking like a revitalised side for a third time after their consecutive setbacks in the title race with heavyweights Manchester City. They face several disadvantages in competing with Guardiola’s blockbuster side, including on the financial front, but one key component is the size of their squad.
This week’s EFL Cup tie saw some of their first-team players who would be suggested to be rested feature against Bolton Wanderers amidst injury concerns in a relatively small squad of 22.
However, they are now looking to join some of Europe’s elite in adding a blockbuster name to their squad, whose club is reportedly aware of their struggle to keep the highly-rated star.
Arsenal join the race for Leverkusen star.
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen defied the odds in two ways last season as they saw off German giants Bayern Munich to claim their first Bundesliga title. Not only did they secure the title, but they went on an unprecedented unbeaten run across all competitions. Their Europa League final loss against Atalanta was the only defeat they suffered.
The form they showed last season put clubs all across Europe’s top five on alert to some of the stars that the German champions possess and even the Spanish manager who sparked the revolution.
One player in demand from England to the Spanish capital of Madrid has been Florian Wirtz, who would reportedly cost any club in excess of €100 million. According to the Daily Mirror via Sky Sports, the Gunners have now entered the race for the German star, marking another club whose head has been turned.
Is Arsenal the right choice for the German star?
Looking at his performances in the Bundesliga this season, it is no surprise that the midfielder has turned the attention of yet another club. The midfielder is averaging a rating of 8.65 across his four starts this season, picking up a rating of 9.0 against Wolfsburg, scoring once from an xG of 0.15. That goal took him to four in four for Alonso’s side from an overall xG of 2.37.
Arsenal are in need of reinforcements in midfield, as displayed by their current injury situation to Martin Odegaard. A suspension for Declan Rice and Thomas Partey’s poor injury form shows how shorthanded they can find themselves, but with their Norwegian star in their ranks, spending big on Wirtz could be a poor choice when they need to bolster their squad more.