Gundogan is the transfer upgrade Arsenal's midfield is crying out for

FT Desk

• Updated: 18 May 2022 06:40 CDT
• 4 min read

Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Barcelona in recent weeks with his Manchester City contract up at the end of next season. The Germany midfielder would be a massive upgrade at the Emirates.

Gundogan remains a key component of Man City's midfield, this season featuring in 26 Premier League games to help Pep Guardiola's side within one win of the title.

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The 31-year-old's contract is up at the end of next season, though, and City could be keen to cash in now rather than lose him on a free next season.

With the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden already on their books, City are well-equipped in midfield - even if Foden has been used as a False 9 for much of this season - and Fabrizio Romano reports that the club would be willing to part ways this summer.

Would Gundogan help Arsenal?

Gundogan's arrival at Arsenal would help the Gunners immeasurably. Arsenal's most-used central midfielder this season has been Granit Xhaka, and Gundogan outstrips the Swiss on many a measure according to data analytics specialists SciSports.

Gundogan is second league-wide for offensive positioning and finishing, despite his withdrawn starting position, remaining as high as eighth for his defensive positioning despite his willingness to join in with City's attacks.

Xaka ranks 78th, 74th and 49th in the same metrics, and while his passing is higher (10th vs 87th), it also shows how conservative he can be in his distribution compared to Gundogan, who likes to move the ball forward at every opportunity.

Who is the better leader?

While Gundogan was City's top scorer in 2020/21, his attacking output has slowed down a little, but that also shows maturity; a willingness to make chances as much as task them, and he leads by example - something young attacking talents like Bukayo Saka, Emil Smith Rose and Martin Odegaard would surely relish.

Compare that to former Arsenal captain Xhaka's word following the Gunners' 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Monday, which left their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

"If someone isn't ready for this game, stay at home," he lambasted. "It doesn't matter the age. If you're not ready or you're nervous, stay on the bench, stay at home, don't come here. We need people to have the balls to come here and play. We knew this game was maybe the most important for us but, with a performance like this, it's not acceptable."

Gundogan would surely be brave enough to try his hand at Arsenal - this is a player who has been on the books at Schalke and Borussia Dortmund in Germany - although a late Champions League reprieve would help.

If he did go to North London, Gundogan would be a massive midfield upgrade on Xhaka.