Arsenal have been given an unlikely boost after their long-term target Julian Draxler iterated his desire of leaving Wolfsburg this summer. Arsene Wenger has admired the German attacker for a long while now and with the Frenchman looking for attacking alternatives actively, this would be a good time to pounce for the player. There have been contrasting reports emerging from the German team throughout the summer with the Sporting Director initially admitting the player would eventually move onto greener pastures as his ambitions are unlikely to be fulfilled at the club.
“It is clear that Wolfsburg is not the end of his dreams – neither was Schalke”
“There are clubs like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona or one or other club from England.”
But recently manager Dieter Hecking moved to rubbish all rumours of Draxler leaving in an interview to German football magazine Kicker where he said “We won’t comment on every rumour, but we explicitly decreed that Julian will stay with us.”
This interview prompted Draxler to put out his own statement where he put forth his intentions in strong words.
“I want to leave Wolfsburg,”
“The coach knows for more than three weeks.
“Two days after the semi-final at the European Championships I told him how I see the whole situation and what I want – which is to leave the club.
“It was always clear between all parties that I would like to go to a top international club if the opportunity arises.”
After making his stance clear it looks likely his days at Wolfsburg are numbered.
Arsenal have been embroiled in chases for multiple players this season and have faced failures in moves for Higuaín after failing to cough up an astronomical release clause. Their bids for Alexandre Lacazette have been repeatedly knocked back by Lyon. While their public pursuit of Mahrez has been met with stiff resistance from Leicester, Wenger is hopeful of a deal going through.
But the opportunity to sign someone of the calibre of Draxler would surely appeal to Wenger with his preference for creative attacking players. Draxler, at 22 years of age will be a long term prospect at the club and has all the attributes of being a successor of someone like Sanchez in the long run. He has already had a fair amount of exposure on the biggest stage after representing Germany in the Euros and made 35 appearances last season scoring 9 goals and providing 8 assists in the Bundesliga.
The instant success of Kevin De Bruyne suggests another similar sort of player will not find it hard to settle right-away in the Premier league.
His regular position is said to on the left-side of the attack and it is in this position he has found more success. He is known for his speed and intensity in one-on-one situations. He also possesses a powerful shot and can test the keeper from a fair distance.
The player has also been used multiple times in a more attacking role up front and with the fluidity Wenger employs in his tactics would be a perfect fit for the German. If Arsenal fail to close the deal for Mahrez, an attacking three of Draxler, Sanchez and Ozil with a proper striker up front (most likely, Lacazette) will be an absolute nightmare for Premier League defenders. Even if Arsenal sign Mahrez, with the amount of games and the injury prone nature of the Arsenal camp, a quality back-up is paramount if they are to challenge on all fronts this season.
And Wenger has previously suggested he would be willing to ditch his stubborn approach towards splashing the cash if the need arises. And the opportunity to transform this Arsenal team into genuine world beaters should not be missed by the Frenchman in what most people guess might be his last season at the club. But knowing Wenger it probably won’t be (!)
