It seems that Arsenal are finally set to add to their squad in January and their long serving manager Arsene Wenger has, according to Metro, identified Mario Suarez as the man he wants to add to his ranks.
The midfielder has been in and out of the Atletico Madrid starting line up this season and with manager Diego Simeone notoriously rigid when it comes to his first eleven and lack of rotation, it seems that the only way for Suarez to get any playing time on a regular basis is to leave.
The Gunners have identified him as a top target – and there is no doubt that their midfield needs to be strengthened – but with the likes of Southampton player Morgan Schneiderlin also potentially up for grabs this winter, is Wenger once again making the wrong choice?
The summer saw the north London side offered the chance to sign two of their former players, Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song, both of whom returned to the Premier League despite being rejected by Wenger, and have in no uncertain terms excelled.
Fabregas in particular was a massive coup for Chelsea and the fact that Song is a midfield enforcer – something Arsenal are in dire need of – has not gone unnoticed by their fans, who are making no secret of the fact that they find their manager to be lacking on a few levels these days.
Wenger has hit out at said fans and seems to be under the impression that the second half of the season will be better than the first given the sheer amount of injuries the Gunners have suffered and that seems to be logical – yet with the fight for a top four place underway, not to mention a Champions League campaign that looks like at least going into late March given their favourable draw, the sky is the limit for Arsenal.
Suarez would be cup tied in Europe and that is certainly something the Gunners would have to factor into his eventual price – but with Atleti willing to sell the 27 year old and according to the Spanish press, Wenger willing to buy, at least fans can take comfort from the fact that at least one defensive midfielder who can actually pass the ball forward and make timely interceptions will be joining them.
Arsenal fans. Do you want to see Suarez join in January or would you prefer to land someone like Morgan Schneiderlin? Let us know your thoughts below, become a guest blogger or tweet us @LaFootyettes.