Arsenal have reignited their interests in RB Leipzig midfielder, Emil Forsberg despite their failed attempt in the January transfer window. The 26-year-old is one of the key players in the Bundesliga outfit and is contracted to them till the summer of 2022.
Forsberg has been greatly influential in Leipzig’s rise to stardom in top-flight German football and carries massive responsibilities under Ralph Hasenhüttl. He has been delegated with most of the creative duties on the offensive end and the attacking midfielder has delivered, time and time again.
Forsberg often dictates the game in the opposition half with his top-pedigree technical abilities and vision to set up his teammates. His versatility has also been a key factor in his game which has been exploited by Hasenhüttl. The Swedish international has played majority of the season on the wide areas but is best suited to the number 10 role.
However, is Forsberg the right man to answer Arsenal’s ongoing problems?
The former Malmo player operates in a position which is already well covered by Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Forsberg is a ball dominant midfielder who plays in the same role as the former duo and will only end up as a surplus to Wenger’s requirements.
His transfer is even more needless now that the club has handed out massive long-term deals to both Ozil and Mkhitaryan. However, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere’s future with the North London club are also uncertain with talks of a contract extension dragging on for the better part of the season.
The creative role of the Arsenal midfield is well covered and what Wenger needs right now are a centre-half and an out-and-out winger. While Alex Iwobi has filled up the void left behind by Sanchez, the Nigerian has failed to meet the lofty standards of Premier League football.
Danny Welbeck has also featured in the position sporadically and has looked less than impressive.
The club has undergone a tough season following their 6th place finish in the 2016/17 campaign. Wenger has lost a few of his long-serving players over the past two windows, which has left a few gaps in the club ranks.
All in the all, the Frenchman has been exposed on plenty of occasions and is currently strained with the worry of holding down his job. His contract is set to run for another season and additions in the summer window need to be planned well ahead of time.
While Forsberg is a highly rated player, Wenger is better off looking into the prospects of other wingers and centre-backs.
