Why Newcastle's Cheick Tiote Is Not the Ideal Signing for Arsenal

Earlier this season, it looked as if Newcastle United's Cheick Tiote was publicly angling for a move to Arsenal. The Gunners' need for a powerful holding midfielder is well-known, and Tiote seemed to be pushing himself forward as a potential candidate.

Speaking to Lee Ryder of The Chronicle, the Ivorian said:

"

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.

"

At first glance, Tiote appears a logical signing. Arsenal's midfield has missed an enforcer, and the Newcastle man certainly takes few prisoners on the field. He's not afraid of putting his foot in when it matters.

He's a good technical tackler, too. There is skill in a good challenge, and Tiote's success rate of 49 percent in the tackle (h/t Squawka*) is impressive. By contrast, Arsenal's current holding midfielder, Mikel Arteta, succeeds with just 38 percent of his attempted challenges.

However, tackling is just one component of the modern defensive midfielder's game. At a club with a fluid style like Arsenal, the ability to distribute the ball is every bit as important. Mikel Arteta comples 94 percent of his attempted passes, and even his deputy Mathieu Flamini is successful on 93 percent of occasions.

It's here where Tiote comes unstuck. Just 81 percent of his passes find their target. For a midfielder in the top half of the Premier League, that's a poor return.

Tiote passing stats via Squawka.com

He is also unambitious in his passing choices. Arsenal fans occasionally criticise Arteta for playing square passes, but the stats show that he plays the ball forward 68.9 percent of the time. Tiote's numbers are not as good. Only 62.7 percent of his passes move the team forward.

Then there's the question of aerial ability. Arsenal often seem to lack height, making them vulnerable to long balls and set pieces. Tiote's presence would do little to assuage that problem. He's tough, but he's not the tallest. In fact, he's demonstrably worse than Arteta in the air, winning 41 percent of duels as compared to Arteta's 50.

Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Tiote will soon get a chance to demonstrate his ability to Arsene Wenger at the Emirates. However, it's unlikely he'll manage to disguise the inherent shortcomings in his attributes.

If Arsenal are to recruit a new defensive midfielder in January, they must target someone with a stronger all-round game than Tiote. The Ivorian has some of the physicality Arsenal require but lacks the requisite finesse. 

*Stats via Squawka unless otherwise stated.

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