Why Jan Vertonghen Is the 1 Tottenham Player Arsenal Would Love to Sign

Looking at the Tottenham Hotspur squad, there aren’t many players who would be warmly welcomed at the Emirates Stadium. Only the brave and the desperate make the move across north London. Sol Campbell would fall into the former category—William Gallas arguably the latter. 

Being asked to name a current Tottenham player who could make an impact in the current Arsenal squad is a significant challenge. This is the post-Gareth Bale era, and many of Spurs’ new signings are still struggling to prove themselves in the Premier League.

However, there is one player who could alleviate a number of issues in the Arsenal squad: Belgian international Jan Vertonghen.

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Arsene Wenger is a known admirer of the athletic international. In December 2012, Vertonghen admitted to NUsport (via SkySports) that he turned down the Gunners in order to join Tottenham.

His move to Spurs has afforded him regular football and the chance to play in his preferred position: centre-back. However, the lure of the Champions League is strong, and Vertonghen could perhaps be tempted to make the treacherous journey from N17 to N5.

Arsenal certainly need a defender. The Capital One Cup defeat to Southampton demonstrated Wenger’s lack of options at the back. The Gunners boss was forced to field a back four comprised of three 19-year-olds and a midfielder.

Were Vertonghen in the squad, he could have prevented Francis Coquelin from having to play out of position at left-back. On the flank, Vertonghen is a dynamic force, instigating attacks from deep with his powerful, penetrative dribbling.

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However, it’s at centre-half where his addition would be most useful. At present, Arsenal have only the young Calum Chambers to offer cover for Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

Vertonghen would bring experience and balance to the back line: As a left-footer, he is an ideal partner for each of Arsenal’s other centre-backs. 

Effectively, Vertonghen would become an immediate replacement for Thomas Vermaelen. After Vermaelen was sold to Barcelona, Arsenal failed to bring in anyone of a similar standing. His fellow Belgian would appear an appropriate successor.

His versatility offers another intriguing prospect. When Vertonghen reported being courted by Arsenal back in the aforementioned 2012 report, Wenger had planned to deploy him as a defensive midfielder: "(Arsenal's interest) was concrete, but they wanted me to be a controller in the midfield, an Emmanuel Petit-type."

Arsenal still need a controller in the midfield, and an “Emmanuel Petit-type” would appear to fit the bill perfectly.

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Neither Mathieu Flamini nor Mikel Arteta has performed particularly well at the base of the Arsenal midfield this season, and Abou Diaby appears too injury-prone to ever be granted a sustained run in the team.

Vertonghen has all the necessary attributes to succeed in the role. He has good technique, strength and plenty of combative spirit. Petit underwent a similar transition from defence to midfield, and Vertonghen could be perfectly poised to follow suit.

Having signed for Spurs, a move to Arsenal looks improbable at best for Vertonghen. He's made his bed in the Europa League, and he'll be forced to lie there. However, there’s no doubt his acquisition would solve several problems in the Arsenal squad.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout the 2014/15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.