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Buying this Real Madrid star won’t address Arsenal’s problems

By Rucker Haringey

ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 17: Toni Kroos of Real Madrid CF in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between AS Roma and Real Madrid CF at Stadio Olimpico on February 17, 2016 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 17: Toni Kroos of Real Madrid CF in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between AS Roma and Real Madrid CF at Stadio Olimpico on February 17, 2016 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal purchasing Toni Kroos from Real Madrid doesn’t address their lack of toughness

Rumors are flying of Arsenal’s interest in bringing German midfielder Toni Kroos to North London from Real Madrid. The trouble with that transaction, is that it wouldn’t help solve any of Arsenal’s fundamental issues. Kroos wouldn’t bring Arsene Wenger the toughness his club so desperately needs.

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Goal.com is reporting that Arsenal has already launched a bid to bring the La Liga star to the Premier League once the summer transfer window opens. While Kroos is a world-class talent in the midfield, he isn’t a smart purchase for Arsenal. They need a defensive midfielder blessed with exceptional toughness and athleticism.

Kroos is a great player and in many ways, he’s a prototypical Arsenal player. He’s classy and tidy on the ball and can pick out a wonderful pass. However, he’s somewhat limited athletically and isn’t always up for a fight in the midfield. If Wenger is going to spend big money on a world-class player this summer, it should be to acquire something he doesn’t already have.

In many ways, Kroos is just a weaker version of Mesut Ozil. Sure, he’s better equipped to play in the double-pivot compared to the current Arsenal star, but he still isn’t a physical presence there. Both shine when they have time on the ball and can spray incisive passes all around the pitch. Adding Kroos to the current Arsenal squad would only add to what they already do very well.

As a result, the Gunners would be spending big money on a player that wouldn’t move the needle all that much. Instead of looking for another finesse player, Arsenal should be scouring the world for passionate, physical midfielders who can add some real steel to their starting 11. They need a midfield destroyer, not another maestro.

The one positive from all the chatter about Arsenal being linked with Kroos is that it means the Gunners are prepared to spend big this summer. Arsenal fans are well aware that their team needs to add significant talent in the off-season if it’s going to challenge for a Premier League title next season and they can take heart in the fact that the club’s higher-ups agree. The only fact up in the air is whether or not Wenger and the others in charge of the club’s transfer affairs have enough self-awareness to realize what sort of player they need to add.

Related Story: 5 replacements for Arsene Wenger at Arsenal

Toni Kroos is a world-class midfielder and would be an asset to any Premier League side, including Arsenal’s. The trouble is that Arsenal already have players who do what he does quite well. They should be spending their money on stars that bring their side attributes they don’t already have.

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