According to a recent report by Sport Bild, Arsenal are hoping to secure the services of Julian Weigl from Borussia Dortmund with the North London club’s head of recruitment Sven Mislintat leading the operation to recruit the talented Bundesliga prospect. It is believed that the German sensation has fallen out of favour with Dortmund manager Lucien Favre which is why he has started just two matches in the German top-flight this term.
His current contract at the Westfalenstadion is set to expire in the summer of 2021, so Dortmund might not be under any pressure to sell him during the January transfer period.
Julian Weigl’s Career At A Glance
Weigl was born in Bad Aibling and grew up playing football back in his homeland for clubs such as Ostermunchen and 1860 Rosenheim Jugend. He finally managed to take a step up to the next level when he started playing for TSV 1860 Munchen in the summer of 2010. The German wonderkid managed to make his way up the youth ranks at the club to finally feature for their first-team in 2014.
His incredible displays at Munich caught the eyes of Dortmund chiefs who decided to give him a shot back in 2015. Since his switch to the Westfalenstadion, Weigl has made 133 appearances for the German outfit, scoring three goals while creating one assist across all competitions. He has also managed to earn five international caps for the German national team during his young career so far.
What Will The German Add To Emery’s Team?
Weigl is a wonderful reader of the game and knows how to sniff out danger while operating as a defensive midfielder. He has a knack for making crucial interceptions when his team needs him the most. The German talent is also a great distributor of the ball and has tremendous close control which makes it hard for the opposition players to dispossess him. However, the 23-year-old lacks pace and is hardly a goal-threat from range which Weigl needs to work on if he wants to become one of the best players in his position.
Is Weigl The Right Fit For The Gunners?
The potential acquisition of the German talent would undoubtedly bolster Unai Emery’s midfield options at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners currently lack someone of Weigl’s ability in midfield with both Matteo Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka blowing hot and cold during matches this season.
The lack of consistency in midfield could see them miss out on the top 4. Hence, Emery needs to address some of his midfield problems by bringing in someone who is more reliable at the centre of the park and would be a perfect partner for Lucas Torreira over the next few years. There are only a few better options than Weigl to take up that role so Arsenal should consider signing him in the near future.
