Arsene Wenger Identifies Juventus Star As Santi Cazorla Replacement
Jan 3, 2017 at 10:55 AM
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Juventus star Miralem Pjanic as the replacement for Santi Cazorla.
The Spain international is currently out of action after undergoing surgeries on the plantaris tendon in his right ankle last month and is not expected to return until the middle of February, at the earliest, making Arsene Wenger short on options in the midfield. Furthermore, the influential midfielder has been tipped to quit the Emirates next year. His current contract with the Gunners expires after this season and he is yet to sign a new deal which is a clear indication that the club is planning life after him.
Cazorla has been one of Arsenal’s most important players and his absence has clearly hurt the North London outfit. Last year, Arsenal were the hot favourites to win the title until the Spanish midfielder was injured in November. Arsene Wenger’s side are experiencing something similar in this season too. They were doing really well in the league before the midfielder was injured and the results have reflected how much they depend on Cazorla.
The North London outfit has won against Sunderland, Bournemouth, West Ham United, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace in Cazorla’s absence but have picked up only two points in the four games against Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Wenger, in December, had admitted Cazorla was the man who pulling the strings in the midfield and ensuring the smooth transition between defence and attack. He had said:“Losing Santi not only puts pressure on some players, but you have to find a new balance again. He was our deep playmaker, a guy who all our defenders thought ‘where is Santi?’ Without him, you need to find new ways to build the game up.”
His absence might cost Arsenal the title again and Wenger, it seems is not ready to make the mistake again. English news outlet The Sun has reported Wenger has identified Pjanic as the ideal replacement for the Spanish midfielder. The report claimed that the Arsenal boss has already made contact with Pjanic and the Juventus midfielder has answered with enthusiasm.
However, the reigning Serie A champions are not willing to sell the midfielder after their target Alex Witsel snubbed them for the Chinese Super League. But Arsenal are ready to test Juventus’ resolve with a £28m bid this month.