Arsenal Transfer News: Cheick Tiote Drops Major Hint, Latest on Sami Khedira

Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote has revealed Arsenal have been in contact over the possibility of him moving to the Emirates.

Curiously, the Cote d'Ivoire international mentioned the north London club in the same interview in which he indicated he wishes to leave the Magpies, as reported by Hamish Mackay of the Mail Online:

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I want to leave. I've spent four years with Newcastle. I think I have reached a stage where it's maybe time to look elsewhere for a new challenge. I will focus on upcoming games and let's see what happens between now and December. It is true there were contacts for me from Arsenal and a club in Russia. I'd prefer to stay in England.

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Graeme Bailey of Goal UK provided his thoughts on the situation and also named the Russian club who chased Tiote's signature during pre-season:

Tiote joined Newcastle in 2010 and has posted a breathless tenure with the club. Known for his extreme aggression and commitment to the team's cause, the destructive midfielder has racked up 47 yellow cards in 116 appearances across the Premier League and the Europa League, per WhoScored.com.

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He is the type of player who will make an important sliding tackle moments before mistiming another challenge, ensuring he divides opinion among fans and critics alike. Tiote is powerful in the air, confident in possession and offers enough energy to impose his will on the midfield area.

Arsene Wenger desperately needs a holding midfielder. Arsenal currently pack too many similar players—creative on the ball with little tackling bite—into the centre. They are easily dominated and struggle to cope with the Premier League's physical demands, making it all the more surprising Wenger didn't opt to purchase a specialist defensive midfield type during the summer.

Tiote isn't much of an attacking threat and only has one Newcastle goal to his name. Ironically, this was a thunderous strike to round off the side's memorable 4-4 comeback draw against Arsenal in 2011. He enjoys shooting from range and isn't afraid to have a pop if space opens up, but Tiote is very much a player who will be remembered for his industrious nature, not goalscoring ability.

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Newcastle allowed Yohan Cabaye, another key midfielder, to leave last January and could cash in on Tiote if a bid is launched. The 28-year-old has provided the club with admirable service and is entitled to switch things up if he desires to do so.

Wenger is also rumoured to be lining up Real Madrid's Sami Khedira, as reported by Metro. Jose Felix Diaz of Marca details a mysterious situation at Madrid, in which the German's future "remains uncertain."

"The Real Madrid board are convinced that he has not yet signed anything with Arsenal or any other club and he will not do so without telling them first," writes Diaz.

Should the arrival of a new midfielder become a toss-up between Tiote or Khedira, it's likely most Arsenal fans would opt for the latter.

Khedira is proven across the Bundesliga and La Liga, has won the World Cup and the Champions League, as well as domestic titles at both Stuttgart and Madrid. He offers a far more rounded game than the crunching Tiote and is certainly more capable of contributing offensively.

Joachim Low utilised the 27-year-old's running from deep to start Germany's attacks during their summer tournament win, a factor which was most evident during the memorable 7-1 victory over Brazil. He can provide balance to Arsenal and is less of a liability than Tiote, who threatens to bubble over at any moment.

Wenger certainly needs to invest during the winter transfer window and cannot fall back onto excuses if he doesn't.

One of Arsenal's greatest weaknesses is the lack of shield in front of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, who have become vulnerable to being pulled out of position during attempts to challenge on the front foot. This is not a season in which a Kim Kallstrom-styled loan signing will suffice. Wenger has plenty of options to pursue and must spend well.