Luiz Gustavo Would Be an Ideal Signing for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger

Arsenal fans are optimistic that their wait for a major signing might be approaching an end. Speaking after the Gunners’ 3-1 friendly victory over Manchester City, Arsene Wenger appeared to confirm to Joe Bernstein of The Daily Mail that he is interested in signing Bayern Munich’s Brazil international Luiz Gustavo. 

Gustavo might not be as glamorous a name as some of the stars Arsenal have been linked with this summer, but he fits the profile of the kind of player the Gunners urgently need to reinforce the squad.

His quality is undoubted. Gustavo was a stalwart for Hoffenheim before making a big-money switch to Bayern Munich. Last season, he was an important component in Bayern’s treble-winning squad. He made 22 Bundesliga appearances and 36 in all competitions. He even came on as a substitute in the Champions League Final win over Dortmund.

He’s also a full Brazilian international with 10 caps to his name. He was selected for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s 2013 Confederations Cup squad and was something of a surprise selection for the final against Spain. Gustavo played the full 90 minutes as Brazil overran the Spanish midfield and emerged victorious. 

In order to keep his place in the Brazilian squad, Gustavo may feel he needs to leave Bayern. In the past year, the likes of Javi Martinez and Thiago Alcantara have arrived to push Gustavo further down the queue for a first-team place. To keep his dream of participating in a World Cup in his home country alive, Gustavo may need to look for a new club with more opportunities to play.

Gustavo’s dilemma could be Arsenal’s gain.

At the Emirates Stadium, Gustavo would surely hold an important place in the squad. His versatility would make him invaluable.

Gustavo is known best as a holding midfielder, although he is also capable of filling in at both centre-back and left-back.

Arsenal have vacancies in all three positions. In midfield, they require a player who can support and rotate with an ageing Mikel Arteta. At left-back, cover is required for the injured Nacho Monreal. At centre-half, Arsenal currently have just two fit senior professionals: Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. The decision to loan Ignasi Miquel to Leicester has stretched Arsenal’s defensive options to a breaking point.

Recruiting Gustavo would instantly plug several of the holes in Arsenal’s dilapidated squad. 

However, his best position remains as an energetic defensive midfielder. His passing is crisp and accurate and his tackling is tenacious. His all-action style bears comparison with Chelsea’s Ramires. Gustavo could bring the same kind of frenetic desire to the Arsenal midfield that made Mathieu Flamini such a popular character in North London before he departed on a Bosman free.

Arsenal need to begin rebuilding their squad. Luiz Gustavo would be a fantastic start.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout the 2013-14 season. Follow him on Twitter here.