BWoolley wrote:

Sounds like a mixed blessing if he does come. While we may be getting a good young player (haven't seen him at all myself), we definitely won't be getting the first team DM everyone wanted to replace Arteta as first choice. Let's see how that goes then.

That dream ended for me when Arteta was given the captaincy.

Arteta being the captain means nothing, he was given it because he was already vice cap, has been here for some time. Wenger's already proven he is more than willing to keep the captain on the bench with Vermaelen, and he mentioned Per specifically as 2nd. Arteta is important because of his experience but will probably play less games this year, especially when we get the central midfielder.

think Vermaelen was made captain when he was a first team regular? difference between handing someone the captaincy and stripping it off them.. Anyway, hope you are right..

Arteta is the club captain, not just the captain of the team. Wouldn't worry about the armband holding things up.

Captain is a role within the club not just on the pitch. Arteta is an important character but he isn't going to feature every gaem is he.

Rabiot is right up Wenger's alley as he is a taller, younger version of Arteta

Never seen Rabiot play. He'd be an Arteta type DM rather than a defensive powerhouse, yes?

He seems superb on the ball. Great composure and tidy, quick passing. He's tall, so he should be decent in the air as well. More of an Arteta type DM I guess.

Arteta + Height + Speed = An amazing player

So if he's available for a fair price, it should be a no brainer.

Kel Varnsen wrote:

He seems superb on the ball. Great composure and tidy, quick passing. He's tall, so he should be decent in the air as well. More of an Arteta type DM I guess.

We need a Wanyama type DM

I don't think we do. Arteta's distribution is key in that role. It allows us to spread the play.

I think Rabiot would fit like a glove

Yeah all we need is someone who isn't slow, who has the prerequisite tactical and technical skills. They don't have to a beast/unit/tank/hulk.

I rate Wanyama as a player actually, but he doesn't distribute the ball all that well. Maybe he could learn, he's an intelligent player.

flobaba wrote:
Kel Varnsen wrote:

He seems superb on the ball. Great composure and tidy, quick passing. He's tall, so he should be decent in the air as well. More of an Arteta type DM I guess.

We need a Wanyama type DM

No, we need someone who can play the ball, disrupt the other side and hold his own in the air. Rabiot for £6m is the best option out there and I'm sure Wenger would have him earmarked to take a serious role in the team. Plus we aren't going to go out and buy another midfielder next summer just because, unlike PSG.

IMO he will have the sort of season this year that Pogba had at Juve, only he is a move defensive player so he won't make the headlines for a 25 yard screamer.

Looks good in compilations but is he seriously going to come in and be the new starting DM that we need? Doubtful.

probably not but I doubt we are getting one so he would be the next best thing

Where we suffer in the midfield is not with ball distribution out of defence. Besides it's not like Wanyama can't play a safe 15 yard pass. We suffer due to a lack of pace, strong tackling and size/physical presence.

I'd trade Arteta's/Rabiot's ball distribution for a Wanyama type robust tackler /enforcer.

Arteta is a very robust tackler. He has weaknesses but at least get them straight.