Why Arsenal should jump at the opportunity to sign Julian Draxler
According to claims from L’Equipe (h/t Daily Mail), Arsenal have been offered the opportunity to sign Julian Draxler from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Gunners have been linked with the 27-year-old in the past and the club’s interest in the playmaker has intensified after Borussia Dortmund shut the door on a potential exit for Julian Brandt last month. (h/t Daily Mail)
PSG are willing to cash in on Draxler before the end of this month with his contract due to expire next summer. As per the report, the Ligue 1 title-holders are trying to orchestrate a swap deal with Arsenal that would see Matteo Guendouzi move to the French capital as a part of the agreement.
Guendouzi has spent time on loan at Hertha Berlin in the German Bundesliga after being deemed surplus to requirements by Mikel Arteta in North London. However, doubts have been cast over Frenchman’s future at Hertha following a recent managerial change at the club.
Lack of creativity
Arsenal’s lack of creativity in the final third has been one of the primary reasons behind their inconsistencies this season. But they have climbed up the table following an upturn in form over the past few weeks.
Having said that, however, Arsenal still have plenty of work to do heading into a hectic second half of the campaign.
Despite things somewhat improving over the past month or so, Arsenal’s overall tally of 26 goals in 20 games doesn’t paint a pretty picture. Indeed, Emile Smith Rowe’s impressive emergence as the club’s new No.10 remains an obvious positive.
But with Willian, Nicolas Pepe and Dani Ceballos all struggling to spark enough creativity, the Gunners need to dip into the market for some fresh additions to their squad.
Draxler-Guendouzi swap ideal for all parties?
With Mesut Ozil departing the club, the door has been left wide open for Arsenal to sign a new attacking midfielder. The Gunners have completed the signing of Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid but the Norwegian would only represent a temporary fix as there’s no option-to-buy clause included in the agreement.
Putting things into context, Arsenal should grab the opportunity to snap up Julian Draxler from PSG in the January window. The vastly-experienced German international has struggled for game time in France due to stiff competition for places. But he still represents a top-quality option as a playmaker with proven pedigree at the highest level across the continent.
Draxler racked up 23 goals and 26 assists in 153 career appearances in the Bundesliga earlier in his career, featuring for Schalke and Wolfsburg. While he hasn’t been a regular starter at PSG over the years, the German has still managed a decent tally of 22 goals and 33 assists in 151 appearances.
That coupled with his exploits for Germany at the international level clearly underlines his ability to score and create goals on a regular basis. Plus, Draxler’s versatility to play in a No.10 role and out wide on the left should hand a significant boost to Arteta.
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Meanwhile, Guendouzi’s future at Arsenal looks all but over. Hence, the Gunners should not hesitate to cash in on the youngster as a part of a swap deal for Draxler, who would offer long-term stability to the club’s creative cavalry.
