Arsenal in the hunt to sign midfield powerhouse: A smart choice by Emery

According to Transfermarketweb, Arsenal have joined the race to sign FC Porto midfielder Hector Herrera.

The Mexican international is currently available on a pre-contract agreement and it is believed that the Gunners are keen to secure his services. However, they could face stiff competition from Inter Milan.

Hector Herrera: the right choice?

Herrera has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the Liga NOS for the past four years or so. After initially moving to Portugal back in 2013, he has become an ever-present figure in the Porto midfield, having made 220 appearances for the Dragoes in all competitions.

Generally seen as a central midfielder, Herrera is a complete package in the middle of the pitch, boasting an impressive skillset in nearly all aspects of the game.

Averaging over two tackles per game, he is a tenacious tackler who, much like Lucas Torreira, likes to press the opposition. The aforementioned, combined with excellent stamina, makes him nothing short of an engine.

The former Pachuca starlet is a powerful footballer, who can put in a crunching tackle or two when need, a trait which tunes in well with the nature of English football.

Herrera’s game is not only limited to just tackles as the 28-year-old is also proficient in building the tempo of the game using quick passes. He has averaged 45 passes per game with a respectable accuracy of 84%.

In addition, an average of 1.1 interceptions per game is indicative of his ability to read the game.

However, what makes Herrera such a sought after midfielder in Europe is the sheer maturity of the game, especially when it comes to positioning.

Herrera can read the situation very quickly and acts accordingly. And the fact that he knows exactly when to drive forward with the ball or to stay back is a feature Arsenal are missing from their current crop of midfielders.

Therefore, the Mexican seems exactly the kind of player Unai Emery has been looking for as the Mexican international.

His all-around qualities in midfield certainly revamp the Arsenal midfield that has appeared inconsistent at times and if we take into account the impending departure of Ramsey, a move for Herrera makes a world of sense for the Gunners even though both are different kind of players in their own respect.

Stat courtesy: Whoscored