Nigel de Jong is the answer to Arsenal’s midfield conundrum

De Jong’s tracking-back could take Arsenal forward

The news that Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is considering a bid for Manchester City holding midfielder Nigel de Jong should excite Gunners supporters.

What Arsenal crave is a midfielder with absolutely no interest in getting forward and joining in the attack and who is as resilient, and will mix it with, the Premier League’s supposed tough players.

Alex Song is certainly a useful addition to the Arsenal squad but in recent seasons he has become more of an all-round midfielder – he was one of the Premier League’s highest assist-makers last term.

The Cameroon international is supposed to be looking after the Arsenal back four, filling in at full-back and centre-half, but instead he’s creating chances.

When Song has appeared alongside Mikel Arteta this season, it has worked better because the Spaniard is educated enough to fill in for Song when he goes roaming up field.

However, at the end of the season when Arsenal were leaking goals at an alarming rate, it was obvious Song did not work as a combination alongside Aaron Ramsey and Tomás Rosický.

Where Jack Wilshere fits into things next season depends on the England international’s injury problems, but what is certain is that Arsenal require a holding midfielder, a new full-back, a back-up goalkeeper and further reinforcements up top if they’re to challenge the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea for the title.

And De Jong is just the answer to Wenger’s midfield conundrum.

Time for United to move on from Hazard saga

For United supporters, it must be hard to know how to react to Eden Hazard’s announcement that he will be joining Chelsea next season.

The fact the Belgian international is going to cost Roman Abramovich £32m, and will reportedly earn £170,000-a-week, with a £6m fee for his agent, must be a relief to the United chiefs that they won’t be stumping up the cash.

That’s £78m over a five-year deal, which is frankly ridiculous. United can’t pay these sums and there is no point thinking otherwise.

Furthermore, it is refreshing to see United would not be led on Hazard’s merry little dance – but he is a top player who would provide the creative spark United have been missing since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid.

It seems inevitable that the egotism that Hazard has displayed throughout this whole transfer saga will rear its ugly head again soon enough into the new season.

Yet again United have missed out on their top transfer target for monetary reasons but Hazard is arguably unproven at the top level and may turn out to be a complete waste of money.

Meanwhile, reports coming out of Germany suggest United are close to a £12m deal for Shinji Kagawa, and that is undeniably a far better deal.

The Japanese playmaker is more akin to what United actually need anyway – and his realistic wage demands will fit into the club’s structure.

For more reaction and comment, visit Sharethematch.com – Football’s Social Network. Available now for FREE online or at the App Store.

Open a bet365 account with £10 or more and you'll get a free bet of up to £200 on us. Click here for more information.

Like The Sport Review on Facebook:

Read more on: Arsenal, Arsène Wenger, eden hazard, Manchester City, Manchester United, nigel de jong, Premier League.