Arsene Wenger is ready to strengthen his midfield department by bringing in Sevilla’s maestro Steven N’zonzi. Reports have claimed that the Frenchman has fallen out with his club manager Eduardo Berizzo and is now looking for a move to London to be close very soon.
There are seeming to be certain issues between the Sevilla board and N’zonzi since a few weeks after that the midfielder left the club stadium during half-time during a Champions League encounter against Liverpool. In their group stage fixture at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan Liverpool were leading 3-0 at half-time when N’zonzi reportedly left the stadium and had to be replaced during the break following a bust-up with his manager Berizzo.
N’zonzi was then left out of the match-day squad against Deportivo in the following weekend which further led to speculations about his future hinting at a possible exit in January. He was instrumental in Sevilla’s Europa League triumph in his debut season for the club and a string of strong displays last season drew a comparison to French legend Patrick Viera but since then the player was not able to replicate the same form this term.
Despite not being able to add many goals, N’zonzi is a strong midfielder who covers ground comfortably and is a really good passer of the ball. His dominant displays make him a huge force in the center of the pitch with his towering figure of 6’3, always being a threat from set-pieces.
Arsenal could really do with such kind of a player who could be a possible replacement for Englishman Jack Wilshere. Injuries have dented Wilshere’s career and he is finding it extremely difficult to cement a spot in Arsenal’s first team. And with N’zonzi having played for Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City in the past, he has also the experience of playing in the Premier League.
The 28 year old has been on Wenger’s radar for quite a while as the French manager sees a lot of Patrick Viera in N’zonzi. Arsenal have struggled to replace their once-great captain for the ‘Invincibles’ in Viera and have lost the anchor in midfield, who could spark up the whole side during a game. N’zonzi also has the similar composure like Viera and Wenger would love to have a personality like him to play.
However, Sevilla chairman has stated that N’zonzi and the board have no issues but an issue with the coach and could be resolved.
‘His situation is due to a technical issue with the coaches and as with all the technical issues, he can change it. He has traveled to London to visit his son with our permission. There aren’t any offers to sign N’Zonzi. I can’t talk about clauses or prices if we don’t have an offer. We respect the decision of our coaches, he is training with their mates but currently, he isn’t playing.’, the Sevilla Chairman told.
N’zonzi currently has a release clause of £35 million and Arsene Wenger will not wish to miss the opportunity to sign the former Premier League midfielder to bolster his side.
