Julian Draxler is a name that has long been bandied around by the punters here in the Transfer Tavern, with the German star seemingly always linked with a move to the Premier League whenever the transfer window opens.
However, it seems that it could actually materialise this time, with Arsenal reportedly in discussions with Wolfsburg to sign the talented attacker.
Our resident Gooners over by the jukebox here in the Tavern admit they would love to see the tricky 23-year-old gracing the turf at the Emirates in the new year, and think this particular piece of transfer news has some serious legs.
Draxler would be joining a strong German contingent at the Gunners, with stars like Mesut Ozil, Shkodran Mustafi and Per Mertesacker plying their trade in north London.
Our landlord has decided to look at the potential XI Wenger may have at his disposal in the new year, with Julian Draxler amongst it.
Check it out below!
GK: Petr Cech
The former Chelsea stopper has been superb since arriving in north London.
His commanding presence in between the sticks seems to give off an aura of calmness and that resonates with the players in front of him.
Our landlord expects to see Cech in goal in 2017 without a doubt.
RB: Hector Bellerin
Bellerin is already knocking on the door for those labelled as world class and will surely reach that sooner or later.
He is the perfect full back with the way he gets forward and provides chances whilst he also defends better than most in the league, too. Arsenal need to keep hold of him at all costs this season and into the future but that could be easier said than done with him undoubtedly attracting the world’s biggest clubs.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
The Frenchman is another who can be world class on his day.
He has the pace and physicality to deal with the best of the Premier League attackers whilst he is also a threat from set pieces with his head. He’s easily Arsenal’s best defender and will always be in with a shout of being that person no matter who comes into the club. Arsene Wenger pulled off a steal when he signed him.
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
LB: Nacho Monreal
Monreal seems to have seen off the challenge of Kieran Gibbs to now ensure he is Arsenal’s first choice left-back.
Whilst our landlord, and indeed many of our punters, do not think he’s brilliant he’s likely to be the Gunners main man into 2017 at least so that’s why he’s in this team. For all of our Arsenal punters’ sakes let’s hope he can prove himself to be a title-winning standard defender this season. We have our doubts, though.
CM – Santi Cazorla
Santi Cazorla, though a natural number 10, has surpassed all expectations as a deep-lying playmaker as of late.
Though not the most defensive player, he is more than capable in the role – and offers far more than the likes of Cesc Fabregas at Chelsea does defensively.
Expect him to be firing balls forward in search of target men like Olivier Giroud.
CM – Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka hasn’t really gotten a foothold in the Arsenal first team yet, but it is surely only a matter of time before he finds his boots in the Premier League.
On his day, there is simply nobody better. He offers dynamic passing, unstoppable ball winning and attractive dribbling – all of which make him a shoe-in for this team.
With a few months now under his belt, he will undoubtedly kick on as the season progresses.
CAM – Mesut Ozil
Who else but Mesut Ozil?
Ozil is a fan favourite amongst the Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern, many of whom believe he is the best in the world.
He offers passing, dribbling and goalscoring – and Wenger desperately needs to tie him down to a new long-term deal.
LW: Julian Draxler
Perhaps not the most natural left winger in the world, though the whole point of this Arsenal attack will be the fact it moves fluidly behind enemy lines.
Such is the profound understanding Draxler has of incisive attacking play, the World Cup winner would be a wonderful option to have cutting in from the left.
ST: Alexis Sanchez
Who said Arsenal needed a world-class centre-forward anyway?
Alexis Sanchez has taken his chance in the central striking berth the aplomb, compared by many of punters to Gunners legend Thierry Henry.
The Chilean would largely operate as the main forward, though the interchanging of positions would really be a sight to behold.
RW: Theo Walcott
Clearly, Theo Walcott is by far the least naturally talented of this Arsenal frontline, though his searing pace represents a wonderful out-ball.
Has proven himself in front of goal this season and would give Wenger a more direct approach.
