Perhaps the worst-kept secret in the English Premier League is that Arsenal are in dire need of an upgrade in central midfield. Francis Coquelin isn't good enough yet, Mikel Arteta is declining and oft-injured and Santi Cazorla simply isn't a pivot midfielder, being much better in advanced areas.
Arsenal chasing out-of-favor Real Madrid midfielder
Lucas Silva could help fill a big hole in Arsenal’s squad.
Fortunately for Gunners fans, it looks like there might be a solution on the horizon -- reports indicate that they're making an effort to sign Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Silva, who was just bought by the Spanish giants in January, but has been deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Rafa Benitez.
It’s a bizarre development, after the highly acclaimed 22-year-old was brought in to be the midfielder of the future at the Santiago Bernabeu, but things like that can happen after there’s a change in management. Especially when you bring in a guy with a very particular idea of how to do things and what players fit his methods, like Rafa Benitez. That highly particular nature has left Silva available, and midfielder-needy Arsenal are ready to pounce.
Why it makes sense
Silva would help fill a gigantic hole in Arsenal’s midfield, where they desperately need another defensive-minded presence. He’s got a strong defensive tool set for defending in midfield, with excellent vision for what’s going on around him, and an instinctive feel for where he’s most needed on the pitch to help break up an attack. He’s not going to lay in bone-crunching tackles with regularity, but he’s got every other defensive skill you could possibly want in a midfielder.
That’s not the only thing Silva brings to the table, though -- he’s also quite good with the ball at his feet, with a good eye for a pass to help spring an attack. He’s got a long range and a deft, accurate touch to his passes, something Arsene Wenger and Arsenal value very highly from a midfielder.
Why it doesn’t make sense
While Silva is a very talented and capable player, it’s far from a certainty that he’d be ready or capable of holding his own in the Premier League just yet. He was fairly solid and sometimes impressive in his handful of La Liga matches last season, but he’s still only a year removed from playing in Brazil. While Brazil’s Campeonato is quick and physical, it lacks the same kind of speed and ferocity that you see in the EPL. Silva didn’t always seem comfortable with the increased pace of La Liga -- would he hold up in the even-faster matches of England?
There’s also a concern in his strength. Silva’s a lot of things, but he’s not a particularly big or strong guy. In England, he’d be asked to mark the likes of Yaya Toure, Marouane Fellaini and Jordan Henderson -- all quick guys, yes, but they’ll also will run you over if you give them the chance. You can have all the technique in the world, but it won’t help you if you wind up eating dirt because you couldn’t stand up to a challenge. Arsenal need someone who can bring a physical presence to their midfield as well as a defensive one, and Silva doesn’t really check that box.
Likelihood it happens
Despite the concerns that would have to be present for Arsenal, a deep midfielder of Silva’s age and passing skill set would seem to be right up Wenger’s alley. That, coupled with Real Madrid’s willingness to let him go, has given this rumor some tangible momentum. We’re giving the likelihood of this one happening a 6/10.
This is a post from our transfer rumors section. For news, analysis and more, check out the main SB Nation Soccer page.
See More:
