Arsenal signing top midfielders in the summer is something that’s expected. Midfielders like Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo, and Romeo Lavia have been linked. Considering how good they are, the three could cost a lot; thus, it is uncertain if Arsenal would sign all of them.
In light of this, I have a question. My Question: Let’s say Arsenal gets only one of their top midfield targets. Would James Ward Prowse be a suitable additional midfield option?
After 11 years in the Premier League, Southampton are likely to be relegated.
It is unlikely a player like James Ward Prowse will be playing in the Championship with the quality he has at the age of 28. His ability to man the midfield, disrupt opponents’ play, and produce magic with dead balls could be valuable to most teams. I bet one top club will look at him, take advantage of Southampton being relegated, and get him at a bargain.
Arteta should look at James Ward Prowse and consider adding him as an option for his bench. He could be one of the ingredients needed to close the gap between them and Man City.
Last year Paul Merson asked the Arsenal boss to get the Southampton midfield engine, but he didn’t. “I don’t understand why Arsenal are not pulling out all the stops to try and take James Ward-Prowse from Southampton,” wrote Merson in the Daily Star
On why he wanted Ward-Prowse at Arsenal, Merson said, “Ward Prowse ticks every box. He is deadly from free kicks. Puts it on a sixpence from corners. What am I missing? Is it because he’s English and only plays for Southampton? I don’t get it.”
If you were Arteta’s right-hand man, would you advise him to consider James Ward-Prowse as an alternative for either one of Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo, whose deal may fail to materialise?
Darren N
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I’ve always been a fan ,but I doubt there would a a space to fill.
One of the best dead ball specialist I’ve seen in the PL ,and I believe he needs one more
Free kick to break the record .
Shame because he’s such a good player .
Would only have been good if we could use a “field goal kicker” as in American Football (Gridiron). We don’t have a free kick specialist, but if the rules were Americanised, he could come on and take set pieces as and when needed.
Unfortunately his all-round game is not quite good enough for us imo.
He’s strong and skilful but not too Pacy, has the tendency to be our own Ikay with an extra in free kicks.
When I read MC buying him,it seems to me the FA are allowing it to continue unpunished for the financial irregularities charge levelled .What ever happened to the charge(s)?
If nothing is done to follow thru ffp,England will be like Germany,Spain and France where only one or two clubs will dominate for eternity through the power of money
No, Darren I would not and far more importantly I am sure MA will not wish to get involved.
JWP is widely agrede to be the Prems very best taker of a free kick- undoubtedly so- but many other matters go to make a key and top quality midfielder and I suggest, judged at REAL TOP LEVEL, he falls short.
Its a worthwhile call but not IMO remotely on the cards for US, though he will surely move to another PREM club when Saints finally go down.
In my opinion, Ward-Prowse is one of reasons why Southampton will get relegated this season
His abilities to score and assist in dead ball situations might currently be the best in EPL, but:
– He doesn’t press as often as Odegaard does. I bet his work rate is also lower than Xhaka’s
– He can’t take on players and make his team escape from tight spaces in deep midfield area as Partey does
If he was pacier and taller, it might be worth trying him out. But he is like Beckham without the physical abilities to me
Not in a million years as a fan once responded to Kevin Phillips joining Arsenal.
He is not the gaffer, Pep Guardiola, Unai or Wenger , coaches that love free flowing football type of player, he got to bring a whole lot more to the table to join Arsenal in my opinion. It is as simple as that.
Having said that Big Sam and Tony Pulis would have love him.
Moyes, Mourinho and Conte may find him useful too
As Zinchenko is a perfect Xhaka replacement as he is left footed and can control the tempo of the game, I do not think there is a place for him in the team despite his ability on free kicks.
His midfield partner on the other hand could be. Lavia.
We need a TP replacement who is younger and can be box to box.
Caiceido, Onana, Rice.
JWP for 15M plus 75K pw; or Caicedo for 85M plus 140K pw; or Rice for 120M plus 300K pw. Just wondering which of the three would be the best piece of business. Such a no brainer!!
For RF
Based on the price evaluation + wages you have put down I would go for Caiceido as JWP does not fit the job description. We need a box to box midfielder not a midfield passer.
But I am curious on what is your estimation of wages + transfer fee for Onana.
That may make him more suitable for the job description.
Sorry RF
Can you add Lavia to that list as well in terms of wage + transfer fee estimation.
Onana – a good call but can’t see him leaving Everton. Caiceido for 80M is too much. Would rather take a cheaper JWP, add another 20M and bid for Osimhen. If Arteta can upgrade Xhaka to a box to box midfielder, he could work miracles with JWP. They also said the same about Jorginho but so far he has been effective in our system.
No way.
28
Lacks pace.
Good free kick probably 4 times a year.
No legs for us.
We play too fast for him
Xhaka ?
Arsenal may not sign any of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo next summer transfer window.
Principally because West Ham might keep their player – Rice next summer. More so, if they win the Conference League this season to play in the Europa League next season.
But if they avoid relegation this season but fail to win the Conference Leag. The club would be forced to sell him as he may seek to play Ucl footbal next season. But West Ham asking price before they will allow him to leave them could scare Arsenal off from signing him.
As for Caicedo, Arsenal signing him next summer is remote. But it could happen. It can happen if Brighton didn’t make European football qualification this season. And Arsenal still want him and can afford Brighton”s cost price to sign him. Which could be huge for Arsenal to pay.
So, which new top class quality midfield enforcer should Arsenal sign next summer to compete with Thomas Artery at the base of the Arsenal midfield? And whose cost price they can afford to pay and bring him to the Emirates? I
i think Arteta and Edu will unearthed that new top class Mef when the time comes for them to do it for Arsenal in the summer. Just like they had unearthed Yabub Kiwior for Arsenal last Jan Transfer window.
But somehow somehow, I am tempted to say is Martin Zubimendi that they will sign if he diiddnt turn us down again as he did last Winter window.
JWP is a steel midfielder never gets injured just like Xhaka.
A good passer of the ball and in dead ball situations is one of the best l,he may not be pacey but I don’t think he gets dispossessed easily when the ball is at is feet.
I will always welcome him.
Good player with excellent character and attitude.Unfortunately he is not as talented all round as the likes of Caicedo and Rice.