Arsenal Monitoring Out of Favour Real Madrid Star: Should Arteta Make A Move?

Arsenal are reportedly interested in re-signing Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos.

Dani Ceballos, 25, had spent the last two seasons on loan from Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, contributing two goals and five assists in 77 appearances, most notably winning the FA Cup under Mikel Arteta. However, the Gunners decided against signing the Spanish midfielder permanently and consequently, he returned to Santiago Bernabeu after the expiry of his loan spell.

According to Catalan outlet El Nacional, Arsenal are monitoring the situation of Dani Ceballos but face competition from his boyhood club Real Betis, who are understood to be in talks with Real Madrid about a loan with an option to buy the midfielder.

Ceballos sustained an ankle injury with the Spanish national team in the summer’s Tokyo Olympics and is yet to feature for Real Madrid this season. When the 25-year-old central midfielder recovers from the ankle injury and returns to full fitness, he faces a big battle to re-establish himself in Real manager Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.

Dani Ceballos to Arsenal—Should the north Londoners re-sign him in January?

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could face a potential crisis in midfield from the month of January. Granit Xhaka suffered knee ligament damage in the north London derby against Tottenham last month and will be out of action for a while.

Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are due to fly to Africa for the AFCON in January, while academy graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles is not happy with his situation at the club and wants to leave during the mid-season trading period for regular game time.

That’s enough to suggest that the Gunners must really take a dip in the January transfer market and bring in midfield reinforcements. To that end, is re-signing Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos the right move for the north Londoners?

Dani Ceballos was a decent performer during his two-year loan spell with Arsenal. While he had ankle and calf issues throughout his time with the north London club, when fit, though, the Spanish international often performed well.

The 25-year-old’s versatility is key. Ceballos can play in a double-pivot, as an advanced eight in a midfield three or as a No.10 behind the main striker. The ex-Real Betis star’s passing ability, vision, energy and work ethic has allowed him to be a strong box-to-box player and he can flourish alongside Partey in the double-pivot at Arsenal.

In addition, Ceballos has got a taste of Premier League football that should potentially help him quickly settle at the Emirates Stadium if a move does materialise in the New Year. Therefore, to boost their midfield options for the second half of the season, Arsenal must make a move for the Spaniard.

With Ceballos due to return to full fitness in mid-November, if he manages to stay fit and get a decent amount of game time from now on and until January, it should give the Gunners another reason to re-sign him.