After just his first season in charge, seems Pep Guardiola wants to put his signature on the Bayern team. Last summer, he brought in some players ( Thiago Alcantra and Mario Goetze) and he might be set to bring in more but before he does, he looks ready to let a big name go and that’s Bayern vice- captain Bastian Schwinsteiger. According to reports, the German international could be available for 10 million Pounds. Manchester United are alert to the news and that has made Van Gaal turn down the chance to sign his teammate Toni Kroos and also pursue Spanish international Cesc Fabregas. If the reports are true thats.
If this true, this is certainly interesting and Manchester United aren’t the only team that should be interested. Arsenal should also too. The Bayern German international is a deep lying playmaker and can also play as a defensive midfielder. He is the calibre of player that would add steel and experience to Arsenal’s brittle midfield.
With Arteta aging and Flamini too, Schweinsteiger would be a good experienced replacement for both men and for just 10million Pounds, he would definitely be a steal. It wouldn’t be easy to beat Manchester United in the race for his signature but Arsenal aren’t inferior to Manchester United and stand a good, in fact better chance at landing the German than their Premier league rivals. Let’s weigh their chances. Shall we?
Manchester United have Louis Van Gaal who is his former manager, that’s attractive but so do Arsenal that have Arsene Wenger. Many top players dream of working with Wenger. Bastian is on a high wage at Bayern and would be keen to maintain it if he can’t top it. Owing to their absence from the European stage, Manchester United would have to spend over the top just to attract top players but Arsenal cannot be undone because the Gunners are also financial stable now and can afford to offer a player 150k Pounds per week or even as much as 250k pounds per week as alluded to by Ivan Gazidis last year.
That is where the comparism ends. From here, Arsenal have the edge. The Gunners are in the Champions league while Manchester United aren’t even in Europe at all. Schweinsteiger has played in Europe all through his time in Bayern, would he be willing to stay away from the European stage for a whole season? I don’t think so. The lure of comradeship also hands Arsenal the advantage. Manchester United have no single German player while Arsenal have five (Mertesacker, Podolski, Ozil, Gnabry, Eisfield and Zelalem), even the manager Arsene Wenger has a bit of German blood in him – he speaks German fluently. Where would he rather be, amongst his family at the Emirates or a lone ranger at Old Trafford?
Finally, he would also help increase Arsenal’s corporate value. When Arsenal landed Ozil, the club sold shirts and the signing of Schweinsteiger is bound to generate the same positive furore. Going for him is a no brainer. The talent is there, the experience is obvious, winning mentality is there for all to see and above all the price is more than right. This is one signing that can turn Arsenal into Premier League and European champions.
