Arsenal Transfer News: Morgan Schneiderlin Rumours, Cheick Tiote Targeted

With Arsenal close to adding some overdue depth to their defensive options, manager Arsene Wenger will switch his focus to bringing some steel to the base of his midfield, according to reports.

The Londoners are seemingly in something of a dilemma, too, as they wrestle with whether to sign Cheick Tiote in January or Morgan Schneiderlin in the summer.

Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph claims that with Gabriel Paulista on the brink of joining from Villarreal, the Emirates outfit are looking at adding “one of the world's best holding midfielders” to complement their array of polished manipulators of the ball.

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Of the two players mentioned, Schneiderlin would surely be the preferred option amongst the club’s supporters.

However, with Southampton currently flying high in the Premier League, Wilson claims that they’re reluctant to do any business during midseason but may be tempted to cash in at the end of the current campaign.

Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe recently took a look at why Schneiderlin would be an exceptional addition for any side in January:

After growing into an essential component at the centre of this effervescent Southampton team, Schneiderlin is a player who will not come cheap. But if Wenger is really targeting a midfield destroyer of the very highest calibre, then he will be acutely aware of how much he’ll have to splash in order to get one on board.

As we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football, the statistics back up the aesthetic displays that the Frenchman has turned in this season:

A player like Schneiderlin could turn Arsenal into serious contenders for next season’s Premier League title.

The 25-year-old is arguably the most multifaceted midfield man in the division, boasting an incisive eye for a pass, exceptional vision and an ability to surge forward with the ball to complement his dynamic defensive attributes.

Indisputably, he’d be a major coup for the Gunners. But with Arsenal looking to finish in a top-four spot at the end of this season, not to mention prosperous runs in the FA Cup and Champions League, can Wenger afford to wait until the summer to address what has long been a problem area of his team?

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Wilson suggests not and claims Arsenal may look to draft in Tiote from Newcastle United, a holding midfielder who he claims could well be available in the latter stages of the window.

The player himself revealed last month that he’s angling for a move away from the Toon Army, citing Arsenal as potential suitor, per Lee Ryder of the Chronicle:

"

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.

"

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

On paper, a rumbustious player in Tiote’s mould would make sense for Arsenal. The Ivory Coast international’s focus is on shielding the back four at the base of the midfield and he has unrelenting energy that allows him to do that job with distinction.

But throughout his career in the Premier League, Tiote has regularly shown himself to be an erratic influence in that area. 

As noted by John Bennett of the BBC, he’s a player who gets cautioned far too regularly:

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While Francis Coquelin may not prove to be a long-term solution for Arsenal in the heart of their midfield, for the time being he’s doing a fine job. His upturn in form means Wenger should avoid pursuing Tiote with any great endeavour in the January window and focus all his efforts on Schneiderlin come the summer.

The Saints man is young, improving and offers an assuring aura that would bring so much to this Arsenal midfield.

He’s a player—along with the likes of Paulista—who could expedite the Gunners' ascension from top-four challengers to potential title winners and will surely eventually be considered amongst the elite bracket of central midfield men in world football.