This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to Bleacher Report journalist Dean Jones, Arsenal are interested in making a move for Juventus defender Merih Demiral.
What’s the word?
Unai Emery’s side made reinforcements in the centre-back position in the summer transfer window, bringing in David Luiz from Chelsea, and tying up a deal for St Etienne’s William Saliba – the latter heading straight back to the French side on a season-long loan however.
Despite Luiz’s introduction into the first-team, the Gunners have looked shaky at the back, and had conceded 14 goals in the Premier League prior to their clash against Wolves on Saturday afternoon.
Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
Now, Jones has suggested Demiral “will be open to the idea of a move in January if he can’t break into the team”, and that both Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in securing his signature.
The answer
Standing at 6 foot 4, Demiral is a physically imposing presence, despite only being 21. The Turkey international has forged his career on the back of being an uncompromising defender, and that is exactly the kind of ruggedness and no-nonsense approach Arsenal could do with.
Last season at Sassuolo, the centre-back had an impressive average of 1.7 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game in Serie A, and made 5.6 clearances too. Since Emery took charge of Arsenal, the north Londoners have been intent on trying to play out from the back, and at times, they really could have done with someone to just take charge of the situation and clear their lines. Demiral’s career appears to show he would have no problems in defying orders and just playing it safe when it’s absolutely required.
How much money could you make busking for a week as a freestyle footballer? Find out in the video below…
Think back to Arsenal’s kamikaze defending in the clash against Watford at Vicarage Road, and how the Gunners were brutally caught cold by trying to play out from Bernd Leno’s goal-kicks. As evidenced by his high clearances per game statistic, Demiral may have sensed danger better and simply gotten rid. It’s the kind of ‘defend-first’ mentality Emery’s side could really do with.