Steven N’Zonzi’s move to Arsenal is a dream for Arsene Wenger and could be like signing three new players if used correctly
The Sevilla midfielder looks set to move to the Emirates in January, so Football Whispers has taken a look at just what he'll bring to the Gunners and how he'll fit in
ARSENAL have agreed a deal to sign Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi in January, according to reports in Spain.
The Gunners are ready to trigger the France international’s buyout clause which stands at £35.2million. N’Zonzi has been a stand-out performer in La Liga since his move to Spain from Stoke in 2015, but a public falling out with coach Eduardo Berizzo has effectively ended his spell with Los Rojiblancos.
He hasn’t been included in a match day squad since being substituted at half-time of Sevilla’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool in the Champions League.
In an interview with France Football he revealed: “The coach pointed the finger at me. I will not repeat but his words affected me.
“I was always professional despite the circumstances, I always did my job, I found it unfair. My future is clearly away from Seville. The only thing that disappoints me is the way it has ended.”
Sevilla’s loss would certainly be Arsenal’s gain. N’Zonzi would bring a much needed physical presence to the Gunners midfield but he is also a fine passer and could bring the best out of Granit Xhaka.
So we asked our friends at Football Whispers to look into how the Gunners could line-up with N’Zonzi in their side.
3-4-2-1
It’s a system Arsenal have used regularly since February and it has resulted in an FA Cup success. But the centre of midfield has often been a problem area for Arsene Wenger. Xhaka is wildly inconsistent while Aaron Ramsey is far more attack-minded than defensively focused.
The Gunners’ soft centre has cost them, particularly away from home, on several occasions. It can simply be too easy for opposition sides to threaten the back three because they aren’t properly protected. N’Zonzi would change that.
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He is a strong tackler but it’s his ability to read the game and intercept passes that particularly stands out. Before being dropped from the squad, N’Zonzi was averaging 1.5 interceptions per game in La Liga, a far higher figure than Ramsey (1) or Xhaka (0.9).
And once he has the ball he has the poise, vision and technique to find players in dangerous positions. Again, compared to Arsenal’s first-choice midfield duo, N’Zonzi’s stats stand-out.
He averages 71.3 passes per game compared to Ramey’s 53.2 and his pass success (90.5 per cent) is far greater, too, than the Welshman’s 85.5 per cent. Xhaka, meanwhile, plays more passes 83.4, but his completion rate is inferior at 85.1 per cent.
His potential arrival would, without doubt, improve Arsenal’s two-man midfield – he is the all-rounder they lack. The big dilemma for Wenger would be which of Ramsey or Xhaka drops out of the side, but there may be a simple solution to that, too.
For tough and tricky away games – or matches against the other clubs in the top six – a midfield pairing of N’Zonzi and Xhaka would offer defensive protection that has often been lacking.
But for home games, where Arsenal dictate possession, N’Zonzi should be paired with Ramsey. Both are excellent passers and can unlock defences. The Frenchman would play deeper but his influence shouldn’t wane, especially in a 3-4-2-1 shape.
4-2-3-1
For years 4-2-3-1 was the default Arsenal formation, in truth it meant the Gunners became predictable.
And while the change to a back three revitalised the side last term, Wenger hasn’t completely abandoned his preferred formation and it could make a permanent return if N’Zonzi joins.
The former Blackburn Rovers star would fit perfectly in the system and he could bring out the best in Xhaka. The Swiss midfielder isn’t capable of handling the defensive burden alone and his game, and confidence, has suffered.
Introducing a strong presence alongside Xhaka, like N’Zonzi, would take some of the defensive responsibility off the No.29 and that could see him return to the form that earned him a move from Borussia Monchengladbach.
A deeper role would also give N’Zonzi more time on the ball and would enable him to start many Arsenal attacks with his accurate and incisive passing. The France international would be more than capable of finding Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in pockets of space, assuming they remain at the club beyond January.
4-3-3
A change to 4-3-3 would see Wenger break the mould – it’s not a system he’s used for many a year – but it could be a formation to get the best out of N’Zonzi.
Sevilla, while often changing formation, tend to line-up with a three-man midfield. Within that N’Zonzi has played in several different roles. He can be utilised as the deepest midfielder, whose job is to break up opposition attacks, or be deployed further forward with a brief to build attacks.
Setting up in a 4-3-3 shape would allow Wenger to use Xhaka and Ramsey alongside N’Zonzi while also keeping Ozil, Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette in the side.
The system would allow Ramsey to push forward when Arsenal have the ball, creating an attacking quartet, safe in the knowledge the defence will be protected by his midfield partners if possession is lost.
It’s a formation that could be utilised in high-profile matches against elite opposition as, given the rise of a three-man defence, Arsenal could outnumber sides in midfield and dictate games through possession, a tactic Wenger favours but isn’t always able to implement.