Arsenal should sign this player and not Draxler to show Reyes intent

The fact that Arsenal went unbeaten through the 2003/04 Premier League season may be the most memorable factor in the Gunners winning the title, but the January capture of Jose Antonio Reyes should not be underestimated.

Arsene Wenger’s men were only two points clear at the head of the league standings when Reyes arrived in late January, with a transfer fee of £10.5m up front, with the possibility of this increasing to £17m with add-ons.

Although his biggest impact in his first half-season at Arsenal was an FA Cup double to knock out Chelsea, his signing was certainly a sign of intent that the Gunners were going all out for the title.

Mesut Ozil’s signing did something similar over the summer, but the Gunners could arguably profit from another marquee signing in January to showcase their desires.

The obvious candidate is Julian Draxler, but it is more likely that a deal will be concluded in the summer, when the young German’s fee release clause is activated and Schalke complete the signing of Sidney Sam, who represents some type of replacement.

What Draxler can add to Arsenal can be read here.

Speculation linking Yohan Cabaye with a switch from Newcastle refuses to go away, but it is hard to justify what he would offer in midfield what the Gunners don’t already have.

A striker is certainly what Arsenal require most, but a big name in this position that would demand first-team starts would potentially upset the balance of the team and the great morale within the squad.

Therefore, links with a return for Eduardo to play second fiddle to Olivier Giroud may prove shrewd business. Alternatively, any loan deal for Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata would be beneficial.

With Theo Walcott out, Arsenal need a more regular source of goals from midfield and it is Antoine Griezmann that ticks the boxes as the ideal January signing.

Griezmann has scored 12 goals from a left-forward starting role for Real Sociedad this season and although he is not the greatest passer to fit in with Arsenal’s style, neither was Freddie Ljungberg and he was close to indispensible.