Nuri Sahin Transfer Saga – Arsenal vs Liverpool

Nuri Sahin transfer saga has turned out to be one of the longest one dragging in this season’s market. Although the clubs chasing him will only acquire his services on loan still the quality at disposal is worth the hassle. For Sahin, after a bench role with Madrid, his main priority should be playing regular football whether that can be offered by Liverpool or Arsenal.

Over the past week, reports have suggested different stories where Sahin has been that close to signing for Gunners and that close to signing for Reds as well. For now the tide seems to be turning in Liverpool’s favor but from what has happened, another shift in this transfer saga will not be any surprising at all.
Considering the point that Sahin wants regular playing time, both Liverpool and Arsenal have various center midfielders fighting for starting positions, so for Sahin to get into the starting lineup directly is not even easy in theory. The Turkish international is more of a creative midfielder with accurate passing than a defensive one.

Liverpool already have an overcrowded center midfield with the likes of  Gerrard, Lucas, Allen, Shelvey, Henderson, Adam and Spearing. First three started last game versus West Brom. Adding Sahin to the squad adds quality but this means the reds will have no less than eight central midfielders to choose from that is more of a crowd than squad depth.

Sahin without a doubt is better than majority of the mentioned Liverpool players but in such crowd, the only possible way reds can get madrid star is ensure first team opportunities, which is again easier said than done. Lucas is the main defensive midfielder that Liverpool missed badly last season, captain Gerrard is still their best midfielder even at 32 and Rodgers signed his favorite Allen from Swansea for a hefty sum of 15 million. If Sahin arrives, knowing that Rodgers plays 4-3-3 formation, how will he incorporate him into the starting eleven and at whose expense? Only time will.

The scenario is different with Gunners. With the departure of Alex Song to Barcelona, the remaining Arsenal central midfielders include the likes of Diaby, Ramsey, Arteta, Frimpong and Wilshere, the last two currently on the injury list. Others mentioned did take part in the opening fixture  against Sunderland. None of the fit ones is defensive minded, only Diaby has played in that position but he also prefers to have a holding midfielder with him. Cazorla will surely have the responsibility of an attacking midfielder for the gunners and will start every game if fit.

Not only that Arsenal have fewer central midfielders than Liverpool, but Arsene Wenger is also renowned for giving young players first team opportunities. On the other hand with the amount of quality Sahin brings with him, Rodgers will look to find a way to provide him regular football. As already mentioned, currently Liverpool are favorites to land him still for now none can guarantee where he will end up as we near the end of this year’s transfer market.

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