Arsenal sign Granit Xhaka, but what more do they need?

 

The Gunners have finally announced the signing of 23 year old central midfielder Granit Xhaka, and this is exactly what Arsenal needed. A young, aggressive and tough tackling midfielder, who also possesses great leadership skills.

The signing of Xhaka gives Arsenal that extra tenacity in midfield, which is something they have lacked since the days of Patrick Vieira. He will compliment the more technically gifted players such as Cazorla and Ozil, but could also form a brutal central midfield partnership with Francis Coquelin. It’s difficult to see what Wenger’s plans are with Xhaka. Will he be playing the role of the holding midfielder, or will he sit alongside Coquelin and be given the freedom to make forward runs?

Securing a signing so early on suggests Arsenal may show more ruthlessness in the summer transfer window this year. In previous years, Arsene Wenger has been accused of being too stubborn when it comes to his summer spending. However, the signing of Xhaka suggests otherwise, and looks like it could be a step in the right direction.

Although this is a fantastic signing for Arsenal, they must continue to splash the cash on more reinforcements.

It’s more a case of quality rather than quantity in terms of signings. If Arsene Wenger can identify a clinical striker along with a commanding centre half, then I would fully expect to see Arsenal challenging for the league next season.

So who else could Arsenal potentially sign?

It’s always hard to hazard a guess at what players are available. With Bayern Munich signing Matts Hummels, it looks as though Medhi Benatia could be looking to move clubs, who would certainly strengthen Arsenal’s defensive options. Meanwhile, many strikers are suggested to be looking for a summer move, and it is Juventus striker Alvaro Morata who is being heavily linked with a move to North London. In his time at Real Madrid, Wenger had expressed his interest in the Spaniard, but never made a move to sign the player. Although now it looks as though the Frenchman is desperate to add to his strike force with the loss of Danny Welbeck through injury.

Will a star striker follow the signing of Xhaka? Or will it be just the one signing like last summer?