Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Shouldn't Settle for Etienne Capoue

Arsenal must continue to search for an elite defensive midfielder to sign during the transfer window. Etienne Capoue wouldn't represent a significant upgrade for the Gunners, however, so using him as backup plan would be a mistake.

The Gunners have spent a lot of time trying to land Rennes star Yann M'Vila since season's end. But the Daily Mail reports that Arsenal has started looking at Capoue since the M'Vila talks haven't progressed as well as the team was hoping.

Capoue would be available for a much smaller price tag—£10 million, according to the report—but that's simply because he isn't on the same level as M'Vila. Just because he's cheaper doesn't mean he'll provide more bang for the buck.

Arsenal needs a lock-down midfielder like M'Vila to help secure the defensive third. He's one of the best in the world at doing that, and Arsene Wenger understands he will need to pay for top-notch talent in order to keep pace in the Premier League.

Settling for a lesser player like Capoue wouldn't solve the problem. The Gunners already have several players capable of playing on the same level as him, most notably Alex Song. A younger player like Francis Coquelin should be ready to step into a bigger role, as well.

If the Gunners are going to bring in a defensive midfielder this summer, they have to go all-out to sign one like M'Vila. Even though things with him aren't moving along quickly, Wenger should keep making his case to the French star.

Not only would he provide an immediate boost to the squad, but it would also be a sign to the rest of the Premier League's top teams that the Gunners are serious about contending. Capoue wouldn't have anywhere near the same effect.

If no deal can be made to bring in M'Vila, then Arsenal would be better off saving the money until another option comes along than turning right to Capoue. It's a long summer. Wenger is savvy enough to find a more effective transfer.

While most of the outside focus on Arsenal has been on Robin van Persie, the Gunners must keep working to improve the roster while that drama plays itself out. M'Vila would do that. Capoue really wouldn't.

That's why Wenger needs to keep his options open moving forward instead of locking in a lesser option early on.