Arsenal are eyeing up a move for Max Meyer this summer as they plan for life without Jack Wilshere.
Latest report
According to a report in today’s Daily Telegraph, Arsenal are preparing themselves for Wilshere’s departure this summer.
The midfielder has been offered a new deal by the club but Wilshere is refusing to take a paycut despite his lengthy injury history.
Wilshere missed both England’s friendlies over the international break as his knee problem (tendinopathy) flared up due to the heavy training load Gareth Southgate’s coaching team put him under.
Steve Bould, stepping up at the pre-Stoke press conference for a voiceless Arsene Wenger, said the player is fit and should be involved against Stoke on Sunday.
Max Meyer has been on Arsenal’s radar for a while now if you believe reports in the press.
The 22-year-old is also out of contract in the summer and with Arsenal facing the prospect of also losing Aaron Ramsey, and Santi Cazorla’s career over barring the announcement, Meyer could represent a great investment for the club.
The Telegraph claim that Meyer has been identified by Sven Mislintat’s scouting department as he looks to strengthen the spine of the team.
At various times over the past year, Meyer has been described as the perfect replacement for Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and now Jack Wilshere, so which player is he most like?
Next, Meyer’s agent cancels meeting and Meyer scout report, including strengths, weaknesses and how he’d fit at Arsenal
Cancelled meeting
Just last week, Max Meyer’s agent gave Arsenal’s chances of signing the midfielder another boost, as he cancelled a meeting with Schalke to discuss a new contract.
Club president Clemens Tonnies told German outlet Bild they had a meeting planned with Meyer and his representative, but at the last minute those plans fell apart.
“I had an appointment with Max and his advisor, which was cancelled by his agent on short notice,” Tonnies explained.
Meyer’s current deal with Schalke expires at the end of the season. Although the Bundesliga club have made him a couple of offers to extend, he turned them both down.
We previously looked at Meyer as a possible replacement for Santi Cazorla, given his short stature, quick feet and creative abilities.
Looking at the current Arsenal squad, the German would make a good addition. The team don’t currently have many players capable of building attacks from the back. Instead, players like Özil and Mkhitaryan have to drop deep.
Arsenal aren’t the only club to hold an interest in the player though. Liverpool are also keen, and might lose a central midfielder of their own to a free transfer, with Emre Can seemingly departing this summer.
Hopefully Arsenal can take advantage of their existing connections with Schalke. Arsene Wenger signed Sead Kolašinac last summer, so the Bosnian could help Meyer to make his choice.
Max Meyer scout report next – strengths, weaknesses and how he’d fit at Arsenal
Max Meyer scout report
Max Meyer is the latest playmaker to emerge from Germany’s excellent youth set-up, but what could he bring to the Arsenal team?
Max Meyer is a product of the exceptional Schalke academy, and a part of a new generation of technically-excellent German players.
He burst onto the scene as a teenager, but his development stalled as Schalke continually changed managers.
Now under the guidance of Domenico Tedesco, Meyer is finding form again, and with it, interest from other clubs in Europe.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Munich have been heavily linked, and could battle it out to sign the 22-year-old when his contract expires in the summer.
Next, style and strength, weaknesses, can he help Arsenal and Max Meyer highlight reel
Style and Strengths
Meyer resembles Santi Cazorla a lot.
That’s not just because he happens to be short in stature. The 22-year-old shares Cazorla’s bustling running style and deceptively quick feet that he developed while playing futsal as a boy.
Like the Spaniard, Meyer began his career as an attacking midfielder, playing either centrally or on the flanks, but has been moved deeper into midfield.
It’s there where he can use his excellent technique and agility to good effect by escaping opposition pressure and setting his team away.
While he is predominantly right footed, Meyer has an eye for the pass and the ability to thread cute balls through the smallest of gaps.
Next, weaknesses, can he help Arsenal and Max Meyer highlight reel
Weaknesses
At five foot seven inches, Meyer is hardly going to be challenging for aerial balls.
While this isn’t a massive problem for a midfielder, it could see him struggle up against physically imposing players.
His defending can also be weak, which is understandable.
He’s an attacker converted into a deep-lying midfielder, and is still coming to grips with the defensive responsibility the role has.
Next, can he help Arsenal and Max Meyer highlight reel
Can he help Arsenal?
The technical level of Arsenal’s midfield has declined recently. Cazorla’s absence can still be felt today.
Meyer is a young player who is still learning his trade, but he would help Arsenal construct attacks from the back and progress the play through midfield, either as a partner for Granit Xhaka or instead of him.
The need for a more traditional defensive midfielder is more pressing, but if we find ourselves requiring a replacement for someone, Meyer on a free transfer would be a good option.
Next, Max Meyer highlight reel