This is the new DM that Arsenal need

No matter how many midfielders we have at Arsenal, there never seems to be enough. On an average, the Gunners boss Arsene Wenger signs a midfielder almost every season, but the problem recently has been that our current crop of players in midfield have not quite performed up to the mark and with the next transfer window looming closer, there is always going to be speculation on possible reinforcements and the latest player to be linked with a move to the Emirates is FC Porto holding midfielder Danilo Pereira.

According to Correiro da Manha, a Lisbon-based Portuguese daily, Arsenal are one of the teams courting the highly-rated midfielder, with competition from Chelsea and both Manchester clubs. The interest from England’s elite clubs stems out of the fact that once again, Danilo has had an outstanding season in Portugal and continues to be a stand-out performer for Nuno’s FC Porto side.

Although there is no way of assessing whether Arsenal are indeed interested in the player, there can be no argument over the fact that Arsene Wenger needs to sign the player, or at least a player of his kind. As good as Granit Xhaka is, he is certainly no defensive midfielder and with neither Francis Coquelin nor Mohamed Elneny playing that role to a satisfying manner, an out-and-out defensive midfielder is very much a necessity at the Emirates.

Danilo’s natural game is to just sit in front of the defence and provide protection and to fill up slots left behind by the central defenders or the full-backs. Perhaps the closest comparison is the role that Victor Wanyama plays for Tottenham Hotspur. The Portuguese international has played this role to perfection at the Estadio do Drago and it’s no surprise that he’s being linked to a big-money move away from Portugal.

Considering the amount of times Coquelin has been exposed this season and the lack of an out-and-out alternative to the Frenchman, Arsenal really have to go into the summer transfer window in search of a holding midfielder and looking at the market now, Danilo seems to be the only top-quality player in that position who is likely to be on the move.

Anurag