According to reports, Arsenal is looking at three possible targets that fit the criterion of versatility that the manager his looking at in the holding midfield and central defence roles as the transfer window enters it crucial stages. The players are Benedickt Howedes of Schalke 04, William Carvalho of Sporting Lisbon and Luiz Gustavo of Wolfsburg.
The three players can feature in several positions. Benedickt Howedes featured as a left back for Germany at the World Cup, but he is predominantly a central defender, however his struggles with pace and his inability to feature in the holding midfield role rules him out of the equation. Besides that, being the captain of Schalke, he could be reluctant to move away from the bundesliga.
William Carvalho, on the other hand is the new kid on the block at Sporting Lisbon, who had his breakthrough season with the Portuguese side last season where he led them to second place last season. He initially played further forward as an attacking midfielder, but he eventually settled into the defensive midfield role last season, where he impressed, he has the potential to as a centre half. With a fee of £34 million as a release clause, he represents an expensive option for Arsenal.
However, Brazilian midfielder Luis Gustavo represents the best bet in the outlook for a versatile player that Arsene Wenger would look to bring in.
The 27 year old former Bayern Munich player has the versatility to play in more than two positions. He can play as a left back, in central defence and in his primary role as a holding midfielder. At his time with Bayern Munich, he was used in central defence in some games.
He was a target for Arsene Wenger last summer; he however opted to remain in Germany by swooping Bayern Munich for Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg has however anticipated the possibility of him leaving before the transfer window ends by the signing of French holding midfielder Joshua Guilavogui from Atletico Madrid on a two year loan deal.
Luiz Gustavo is a cheaper option than the players that have been linked to club. At €26 million he is not as expensive as Sami Khedira or William Carvalho.
The Brazilian is an archetype defensive midfielder than can operate in several positions. He is adept at defending the space in front of the back four by making it look like it team is playing with three centre halves.
Arsene Wenger described Sami Khedira as a box-to-box midfielder, which means he on the look out for an out-out defensive midfielder who has the ability to play as a centre half. The Brazilian fits the bill. And he would represent a good signing for Arsenal in the mode of Gilberto Silva who played both holding midfield and central defence in his time at Arsenal.
