Arsenal Must Make Morgan Schneiderlin Move a Priority

Morgan Schneiderlin has again hinted that he will leave Southampton in the near future to fulfil his ambition of playing for a "big club."

Speaking ahead of France’s upcoming friendly double, Schneiderlin said he would assess his options at the end of the season, per L'Equipe (h/t Liam Prenderville in the Mirror). 

As John Cross in the Mirror reported, Arsenal have been long-term admirers of the Frenchman, and his latest comments must surely boost their chances of bringing him to the Emirates.   

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Schneiderlin has been a key figure in Southampton’s incredible start to the season, which sees them sit second in the Premier League table with eight wins from their first 11 games.   

His performances in the holding midfield role have far outshone those of players employed in similar positions by Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. 

His destructive abilities have given Saints’ midfield a platform to build their fantastic early season run.  Schneiderlin has made 34 successful tackles so far this season, the fourth highest individual in the league and more than any Arsenal player, as per Squawka.

The dominating Schneiderlin has also contributed three goals so far this season for Saints, while current Arsenal defensive midfielders Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini have none between them, as per WhoScored.  It’s also a goal tally which is greater than either Aaron Ramsey or Jack Wilshere. 

It’s easy to forget that the midfielder cost just £1.2 million from French side Strasbourg in June 2008.  Relegation to League One in his first season was a dark moment for Schneiderlin and the Saints, but he went on to play his part as Southampton secured back-to-back promotions to return to the Premier League.

There is now little doubt he would improve most midfields in the Premier League, and it is almost without question that he would become a key figure in the current Arsenal team. 

Once again, Arsenal’s lack of ability to control a game was on show at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.  Just days after letting a three goal lead slip to Anderlecht in the Champions League, the Gunners surrendered another advantage as they conceded two second half goals to give Swansea City a 2-1 win. 

Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

The Swansea result leaves Arsene Wenger’s team off the pace in the Premier League.  Speaking to Sky Sports in the aftermath of another capitulation, the French manager said:

"

I think it's difficult to explain how we lost the lead as we were in control and they didn't give up. I thought we lost some decisive challenges in the middle of the park in the last 20 minutes and we paid for that costly and that's where we lost the battle.

"

It seems Arsene Wenger is aware of where some of the most malfunctioning components of his squad lie.  Arteta and Flamini have not shown enough and Schneiderlin would be a considerable upgrade in this problem area. 

Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail reports that Wenger will be given a transfer budget of £20 million to invest in his squad this January. However, as Mokbel states, that fund will likely be used to upgrade Arsenal’s central defence, another problem area for Arsenal. 

Wenger will therefore likely need to hold out until the summer to get Schneiderlin.  The defensive midfield area will still be a concern, so the Frenchman must be a top priority when the summer window opens.

If Arsenal want to be considered serious contenders for the Premier League crown next season the signing of Schneiderlin would be a good start.