With the Mirror reporting that Arsenal are looking at West Brom’s £7m-rated midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, here are three reasons as to why the move would be a good one.
1) Flamini
When the Frenchman was taken off in the game against Norwich following a head collision, they impact was noticeable almost instantly. Norwich started getting space around the Arsenal box and ultimately looked more of a threat. The same thing happened as Flamini missed the Borussia Dortmund tie, as the Germans rolled over the Gunners’ midfield.
Mulumbu would offer Arsene Wenger a solution to the problem, being able to cover Flamini when he is unable to play, or even partner him in the middle.
2) Mettle
For all the silk that Arsenal possess with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and more recently Aaron Ramsey, they need a bit of steel in the middle, which is another reason Flamini is so highly rated.
Wenger needs a player who does the nitty-gritty stuff in the middle of the pitch and throw himself around a bit, something which powerhouse Mulumbu can certainly do.
3) Creative
Unlike some other lumps who sit in the defensive midfield role, the Baggies’ man is surprisingly inventive on the ball. Last season he created 30 chances in 28 league games, and this season he has created seven in nine.