Roma’s run deep into the Champions League’s later stages has seen their energetic midfielder Radja Nainggolan linked by the Daily Mail with a move to Arsenal, who are of course preparing for the post-Arsene Wenger era at the Emirates Stadium.
Securing the signature of the Belgian – who is valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt – would represent something of a change in approach; Wenger has always tended to sign the technical over the tenacious.
Aged 29, it would likely be the last big move in the career of Nainggolan, who is something of a one of a kind on and off the field, and there would also be significant consequences for some of the players already in North London, who face a battle to prove themselves in the fresh eyes of the new man in the hotseat.
It may also impact on the style of play on show at the Emirates, so Football FanCast have decided to take a closer look at the ripple effect that could occur if the Gunners do get Nainggolan to sign on the dotted line…
Aaron Ramsey gets more creative freedom
Arsene Wenger experimented with a three-man backline in order to protect his backline but signing Nainggolan might allow the new man in charge to go for a more robust 4-3-3.
Granit Xhaka could line up just behind the Belgian and Welshman Aaron Ramsey, who both have the energy to push forward. Mesut Ozil may have to move wider but with a solid trio in the centre, he and Henrikh Mkhitaryan would be able to drift inside at will.
Ramsey is a key component of this Gunners team and he may well end up as captain at the start of next term after Per Mertesacker’s departure but he needs to be able to make those runs from midfield without fear that he is exposing the backline. Nainggolan’s arrival would allow him to do that.
Arsenal’s midfield finally protects the defence
Nainggolan’s arrival won’t improve the individual quality of the Arsenal defenders but Manchester United are just one example of how extensive protection can bring about a strong defensive record in the absence of individually strong centre-halves.
Alongside Xhaka, Nainggolan would be another player who is not concerned about putting his foot in and the pair working in tandem might just provide an effective shield for the shaky Gunners defence.
That, in turn, could improve the confidence of the backline and have a transformative effect on their solidity. Bringing in such a combative player may finally create a shield that masks some of Arsenal’s weaknesses.
Jack Wilshere joins Everton
Wilshere’s contract comes to an end at the season’s conclusion and, as yet, there has been no movement over an extended deal.
With Wenger – one of Wilshere’s biggest advocates, set to leave the club and no guarantee that the new man will be impressed with the injury-prone midfielder, who does not offer the same kind of goalscoring return as Ramsey does, the arrival of Nainggolan might just push the England international out of the club.
Everton are in prime position to swoop, according to reports in the Times, if Wilshere is the man who is deemed surplus to requirements this summer.
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