The continuing struggle for fitness of the Arsenal and France midfielder Abou Diaby, along with the recent injuries picked up by Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta have highlighted, at least to the fans and the media, the need for Arsenal to sign a player in that typical combative defensive mould to strengthen the spine of our team. But the question still remains as to whether Arsene Wenger agrees.
One player who is hoping so is the Newcastle United and Ivory Coast international midfielder Chieck Tiote. Because the 28-year old has issued a statement, reported by Sky Sports, that may as well be a direct plea to Wenger to make him an Arsenal player when the transfer window opens in January.
Tiote said, “I want to leave.
“I’ve spent four years with Newcastle. I think I have reached a stage where it is maybe time to look elsewhere for a new challenge.
“I will focus on upcoming games and let’s see what happens between now and December.
“It is true there were contacts for me from Arsenal and a club in Russia. I’d prefer to stay in England.”
I think Tiote would be a great addition for the Gunners, but I would be surprised if Wenger thought the same, because his game is all about breaking up play and making tackles, not the all-round sort of midfielder that Wenger seems to like in the central role. At least that is his reputation, although his stats show that he has an impressive 85 percent pass completion this season, just three behind Morgan Schneiderlin. And even more impressive is the fact that Tiote’s overall score (32.63) on Squawka.com is better than Schneiderlin’s (23.41) despite the Saint having scored three goals.
So what do you think Gooners, should Wenger give Tiote what he wants and sign him up in January?