There are alot of good DM around, but not sure anyone have Matic kind of presence that we need.

Fernandinho isnt a massive presence hes just a great midfielder defensively great and he's tough. He's great at everything that's what we need. We don't need a matic.

Either bender would be great. I guess it makes more sence going for the more talented and versatile one.

GooneriC wrote:

We arent Chelsea or City , we need that kind of player in front our defense.

Nobody 'needs' that kind of player in front, that's the point. When you need someone to sit back you tell them to sit back. Otherwise it's far more useful having a player who can attack, defend, press high up or sit back.

Having specialist players means you always end up looking outnumbered.

Clrnc wrote:

There are alot of good DM around, but not sure anyone have Matic kind of presence that we need.

I find it interesting that Matic is all the rage now yet last summer I don't recall anyone suggesting him as a player we should go for.

Hasn't really stood out when i've seen him tbh but fuck it we need someone in midfield and if we're gonna pay 20m or whatever then Wenger clearly rates him.

The lack of a proper Ramsey alternative is probably a bigger problem than anything else in midfield imo so as Jazz and otf say a proper midfielder who can do a bit of everything would be ideal. Someone who can play with Arteta/Flamini or Ramsey would be perfect and Bender seems to fit that role. If he doesn't find someone who can.

He's 6' tall, so he's plenty big enough, but he's also nice and mobile.

I'd be all for him, especially if Wenger thinks he's worth 20m!

otfgoon wrote:

Clrnc wrote:

There are alot of good DM around, but not sure anyone have Matic kind of presence that we need.

I find it interesting that Matic is all the rage now yet last summer I don't recall anyone suggesting him as a player we should go for.

I remember mentioning him on here when Wenger was telling us all there were no players out there who could improve us.

Hopefully anyone we bring in is athletic and a good header of the ball.

I don't rate matic that highly. Looks a level short from elite

I think we need a central midfielder to play next to Ramsey and it should either be a Fernandinho or Matic type. Both would allow Ramsey to roam around "freely" and really impose himself.

What's Lars Bender as a player? I've seen a lot more of Sven Bender and he hasn't really impressed me tbh.

What I like about Matic, is that he's strong, smart and a very good passer. Fernandinho is smaller, but quicker. However, he is also a very good passer. A player like either one of them, or something in between, would be great for us. A central midfielder who can pass the ball quickly and accurately and at the same time give Ramsey the freedom to really roam around.

Tactics wrote:

otfgoon wrote:

I find it interesting that Matic is all the rage now yet last summer I don't recall anyone suggesting him as a player we should go for.

I remember mentioning him on here when Wenger was telling us all there were no players out there who could improve us.

Hopefully anyone we bring in is athletic and a good header of the ball.

There were quite a few suggestions for him, but his price range and Chelsea connection always meant it wasn't viable.

yes to lars bender. he's a leader, closes the ball well, keeps it simple, and has plenty of energy. he'd be an upgrade on arteta and flams next to rambo. reckon we could him for around 20m plus add ons.

william carvalho is another option. only 22 but he's another fernandinho, but with a higher ceiling. pricier too.

William Carvalho looks a proper beast in the making.

Claudius wrote:

I wish we could get two midfielders just like Bender to replace Flamini and Arteta. if only it were possible to clone him.

if only he had a twin brother who also played midfield!

otfgoon wrote:

We don't need a natural holding player, it's a waste of a position.

i couldn't disagree more. this team is crying out for someone like matic, petit, gilberto, javi martinez.

a deep midfielder that can play a bit is what we need. it would give rambo free reign, while still making his usual defensive contributions. not asking for an unskilled brute in there, that would just create more problems.

of course, i don't know why people think playing defence means you have to be some sort of caveman. or that you can't be athletic AND technical.

we have to get out of this pennypinching wenger mindset that we've been stuck in for a decade.

Athletic, technical, affordable — pick any two.

Lars Bender playing right wing tonight. Looks like a decent player. Good on the ball and good tackler.