Sami Khedira transfer news: Arsenal can win the Premier League if they sign Khedira in January, says Perry Groves
The former Arsenal winger believes the German midfielder can be the difference between another season of disappointment and one of glory
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Your support makes all the difference.Sami Khedira can transform Arsenal from also-rans to Premier League champions if the Gunners sign him in January, says their former winger Perry Groves.
The World Cup-winning Germany international is out of contract with Real Madrid at the end of the season and despite manager Carlo Ancelotti insisting that negotiations regarding a new deal are ongoing, Khedira continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League.
Having expressed an interest in signing Khedira in the summer only to be put off by his wage demands, Arsene Wenger needs to find something to bridge the gap between the Gunners and rivals Chelsea and Manchester City, and Groves told the Evening Standard that he believes Khedira can be that something given the belief is he has lowered his wage demands to around £80,000-a-week in order to secure a move.
“They need to strengthen that defensive midfield area and the one that stands out in my mind is Khedira,” Groves told the Evening Standard. “He would be perfect for them.
“Khedira knows that role. He has the physicality and a great passing range. His attitude is good with a great winning mentality and it wouldn’t take him too long to settle because he would have his three German team-mates with him [Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski].
“He would give Arsenal something different. A lot of their midfield players are very similar, very technically gifted players but Khedira will win the ball back to allow others to go and play. He’s proved he can handle life at a massive club and he could fit straight in.
“If Arsenal can get their injured players back while making sure the gap to the top doesn’t get too big with Chelsea and City then they have a chance to challenge for the title. If they can get to within six or seven points by the time the January transfer window opens and then sign Khedira, they could win it.”
Arsenal are nine points behind leaders Chelsea with Wenger facing a degree of criticism over his tactical switch from 4-2-3-1 to 4-1-4-1 this season. The Gunners have lacked a holding midfielder for some time and Groves, who made 203 appearances for Arsenal in an six-year spell ending in 1992, believes the players are still struggling to adapt.
“When Arsene plays 4-1-4-1 with Santi Cazorla left and Alexis Sanchez right, they need to be more flexible,” he said. “There needs to be more movement in general play but also when it is over their side of the pitch, they need to keep their width because Arsenal are too narrow, too often.”
Perry Groves, Matt Holland and Kerry Dixon are among ex-players representing eight London clubs in the first London Legends and Supporters Event at Allianz Park on November 16. To play, visit playwithalegend.com
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