If the rumours are to believed, Arsenal are finally closing in on their first major signing of the summer transfer window. David Hytner of The Guardian claims that Arsenal are aiming to have the deal completed by the end of the week.

The same article suggests that Arsenal had previously bid for another Bundesliga-based midfielder in Lars Bender. It's clear that Arsene Wenger has been attempting to strengthen his side in the middle of the park for some time. In Gustavo, he seems to have finally found his man.

Arsenal badly need support for Mikel Arteta at the base of the midfield. Last season, after the sale of Alex Song to Barcelona, Arteta emerged as an invaluable "pivote" for the Arsenal XI. He operated as the deepest of the central trio, breaking up the play and distributing the ball with his intelligent passing game.

Even last season, Arsenal lacked an obvious understudy. Only Santi Cazorla started more games for the Gunners in 2012-13. Since then, Arsenal have lost Abou Diaby to another serious injury and sent Francis Coquelin out on loan. Denilson could have been recalled as a potential backup, but was instead released to join Sao Paulo.

None of the midfielders in the current Arsenal squad seem to have the positional intelligence required to replace Arteta. Only Emmanuel Frimpong is naturally a defensive-minded midfielder, and he is lacking in experience and guile. Aaron Ramsey has demonstrated that he is capable of playing in a deeper role, but his remarkable energy levels make him a natural box-to-box midfielder.

That's why Wenger has turned to Gustavo.

Although the Brazilian is versatile enough to excel at both centre-back and full-back, he is most comfortable in holding midfield. Like Arteta, he is a tenacious tackler and intelligent reader of the game—as willing to intercept a stray pass as he is to launch himself into a crucial crunching tackle. It is impossible to question Gustavo's commitment to the physical side of the game. No Bundesliga player committed fouls more regularly last season. He is prepared to be cynical when necessary.

Like Ramsey, his energy levels are extraordinary. At international level, Gustavo has frequently found himself competing for a place with Chelsea's Ramires. The two men share a supernatural engine, able to tank around the field for an entire 90 minutes without slowing.

Gustavo would add variety, physicality and quality to the Arsenal midfield. Arsenal fans will be hoping Arsene Wenger acts quickly to get the Brazilian on board.

 

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.