If Wenger is looking for someone who could add a physical presence to the team, there are worse options than midfield powerhouse William Carvalho. The Portuguese midfielder has been on the radar of top clubs for a number of seasons but for one reason or another has never made a move.

The Portuguese midfielder has been a steady influence in Sporting CP’s first team from 2014 and a regular in the national team from the u17s right through to the senior squad.

In contrast to Illarramendi, Carvalho’s total tackles and interceptions per game are less impressive – averaging 1.9 and 1.4 respectively. However, Wenger shouldn’t be dissuaded by his statistics as the midfielder is a monster. He harries and hustles opponents, using his size and bulk to intimidate those around him. He rarely fouls and seldom dives in due to his excellent positioning.

His style of play is not dissimilar to Patrick Vieira as he strides forward out of defence quite comfortably and often passes opponents with ease. In addition to his ability to dribble, Carvalho has a high pass success rate – with a pass completion of 88%.

It was once said that Arsenal could beat a team in the tunnel at Highbury. Players often turned and had to adjust their necks to make eye contact with their opposite number. Vieira, Gilberto, Sol Campbell, even Henry stood over six feet tall. The psychological advantage was often enough to make a team believe that they simply couldn’t beat Arsenal. That threat, for lack of a better word, has been lost in recent years. (Additionally, I’d imagine turning to see Santi Cazorla smiling at you is a different type of disconcerting). But Arsenal need some of that back. They need to look down on their opposition – figuratively and literally. Carvalho could help in this regard.

Despite looking like a potentially excellent addition, questions must be raised over his ability to step up. Summers have come and gone where Carvalho has been linked with moves to Arsenal, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea amongst others and yet nothing has materialised.

Modern scouting explores every aspect of a player – from style of play, adaptability to mental fortitude. If Carvalho has remained at Sporting CP until the age of 25, clubs have a right to wonder why.

Yet this is a player who won a European Championship with Portugal last year. Furthermore, the young midfielder claimed player of the tournament in the European Under-21 Championship in 2015. His talent is not in doubt.

So what is? I feel we will not have to wait long to find out, as the midfielder has already begun to drop hints that he wants to leave Sporting CP with TalkSport reporting that Newcastle United are set to bid big for the midfielder.

If Wenger is hoping to add a destroyer to his repertoire, Carvalho would fit the bill perfectly.