Already heavily linked with a move for Granit Xhaka, it doesn’t look like Arsenal will be messing around and waiting for deals to happen this summer.
The latest player to be linked with a move to north London is Celtic and Australia midfielder Tom Rogic. The Sydney Morning Herald say the midfielder has attracted attention from Arsenal after former scout Brian McDermott recommended him.
Celtic have just clinched a fifth successive Scottish Premier League title and Rogic has impressed, playing in midfield and netting nine times to be the team’s second top goalscorer. A move to one of Europe’s bigger sides seems realistic.
Meanwhile, there is a need for a midfielder at Arsenal. The Gunners lack an understudy in Mesut Özil’s number 10 role and really could do with a midfielder with an eye for goal. Does Rogic fit the bill?
“He’s got a bit of Abou Diaby with the way he looks with the ball – he glides rather than dribbles,” Australian football journalist Paddy Higgs said when we asked him about the Socceroo’s talent. “He’s highly skilled, hard to dispossess, one of those players who seems to have a split second more than most. On top of that, he’s got a lovely eye for a pass and strikes the ball well.”
Obviously, as with any player, it isn’t all good and the comparisons with Abou Diaby don’t end with Rogic’s ability to run with the ball effortlessly.
“He’s had injury problems in the past and this has contributed to his struggles to complete 90 minutes of intense football.
“He can also struggle with inconsistency while he’ll never be celebrated for his defensive qualities.”
An attacking midfielder may be what Arsenal need and Rogic may consider himself the man for the job.
There are likely to be pre-season opportunities for Jon Toral and Gedion Zelalem while Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla are at Arsène Wenger’s disposal once again. That isn’t to rule out a move for Rogic but, right now, it’s hard to see it happening.
Thanks to Paddy for giving us some insight into the player, be sure to follow him on Twitter.