Why Arsenal Have to Move For this English International!
Among the several positions on the pitch where Arsenal need reinforcements, the most urgent necessity at the moment is at defensive midfield. The Gunners haven’t had a decent midfield enforcer for quite some time now and our lack of one has cost us on innumerable occasions. Keeping this in mind, it just so happens that Manchester City’s James Milner will be out of contract at the end of the season.
While there have been several media reports over the last few months that he will soon be offered a new contract at the Etihad, the Englishman moves closer and closer to being a free agent in the summer. It is understood that the former Villa man will look at his options when the January transfer window opens and then make a decision about his future, keeping more regular first-team football as a priority.
Keeping that in mind, why wouldn’t Arsene Wenger make a move for him when the transfer window reopens in the new year? Whilst he may not be a typical midfield enforcer, any fan of the Premier League will tell you that he is more than capable of doing a job in that area of the pitch. Besides, he can even play a little further in midfield, on the flanks and even in both full-back positions. When you’ve got an injury-ravaged squad on most occasions like Arsenal do, a versatile player like James Milner can be a life-saver.
At 28 years of age, the English international has a few good years of service ahead of him as well. Milner is not really a winger these days and is mostly utilized by City as the ‘steel’ in a team that is full of flair and I believe Arsenal can effectively use him in the same way as well, and give him more game-time! Manuel Pellegrini will certainly like to avoid losing him for free in the summer and would at least consider selling him on a cut-price deal in January, squad depth isn’t an issue that the current Premier League champions have to deal with.