Arsenal are reportedly tracking 22-year-old Denis Zakaria, who currently plays for German side Borussia Mönchengladbach. Zakaria has been a key player for Mönchengladbach in the German club’s rise to the top of the Bundesliga this season.
According to Sky Deutschland, the Gunners are the latest side to be linked with a move for the Swiss international, joining the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as Arsenal’s north London rival Tottenham Hotspur. The report states that Borussia Dortmund were interested in signing the defensive midfielder and an offer of around €30 million was rejected by Mönchengladbach. Clubs will have to pay nearer to €50 million to prise Zakaria from the German side.
The defensive midfielder’s current deal with Borussia Mönchengladbach expires in 2022, with the player having signed a five-year deal when he moved from Swiss team BSC Young Boys in 2017. Zakaria is an important player for the Switzerland national team and has so far made 24 appearances since making his debut in 2016.
Denis Zakaria to provide the stability they need?
Arsenal’s defensive issues, which have plagued them for a long time, continue to be a problem under Unai Emery and the Gunners need to strengthen in midfield as well as at the back if they stand any chance of winning anything substantial in the near future.
In midfield, captain Granit Xhaka – who is Zakaria’s national teammate – has struggled and is now under immense pressure from the fans at Arsenal. Mattéo Guendouzi has looked good in midfield but he is not a midfield powerhouse, which is the type of player which we were used to seeing in Arsene Wenger’s initial years.
Zakaria could very well be that player to offer solidity and stability to the Gunners midfield and is a player who resembles Gunners legend Patrick Vieira, with his imposing physique, strength and movement on the ball.
The 22-year-old is strong in the tackle, stopping attacks from his defensive midfield role. Zakaria has averaged 2.6 tackles and 1.4 interceptions on average per game in the Bundesliga this season. The 6’2″ defensive midfielder can move about the pitch quickly, with or without the ball. He has averaged 2.2 dribbles per game this season, using his long strides to get from one end of the pitch to the other.
Denis Zakaria is a young player who has tremendous potential and should be one that is tracked by the Gunners in the next few months before they make a move in January or the summer transfer window.
