Arsenal legend remains sceptical of transfer target

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has shown in the past that he’s not afraid to speak his mind. He has been one of Arsene Wenger’s and Arsenals harshest critics despite his affiliation with the Gunner and his latest comments regard long time Arsenal target Morgan Schneiderlin.

Merson doubts whether the Frenchman can make the step up from Southampton to Arsenal.

“You could say Morgan Schneiderlin, but at the same time a lot of Southampton players went to Liverpool last year and not many of them have cut it,” he said.

“Likewise, if you’re going to Arsenal from Southampton it’s a big, big move, so maybe they need someone who’s already played at that pressure level. I do like Schneiderlin, though,” he added.

It’s true that Lambert, Lovren and Lallana haven’t been a success at Liverpool this season and struggled to step up a level though that’s more so the case for Lambert and Lovren rather than Lallana. However, Merson’s point is irrelevant as Lambert and Lovren are not and never will be title winning players by any stretch of the imagination. Therefore, it’s unfair to compare Schneiderlin’s chances of success at Arsenal with how Lambert and Lovren have performed stepping up to play for Liverpool. Lallana has fared better but has still struggled to perform with the same consistency which saw him travel to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.

Morgan Schneiderlin has won many plaudits this season showing he can perform consistently well. Gary Neville praised the 25 year old Frenchmen after Southampton’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.

“I think he could play at any of the top clubs in the league, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United or Arsenal – he’s showed his quality this season,” the Sky Sports pundit said.

Southampton boasts the joint best defensive record in the league conceding just 31 goals in 37 games so far. Schneiderlin’s ability to read the game and anticipate danger has played a huge role in helping Southampton’s defensive cause. He is also very calm on the ball and has shown he has an eye for goal. He boasts 89% pass accuracy this season with 4 goals. One criticism of Francis Coquelin is that his ability on the ball needs to be improved. He struggles under pressure due to his lack of composure and holds on to the ball too long or plays the wrong pass and I feel Schneiderlin handles these situations better.

Last season saw Schneiderlin perform equally well and he caught the eye of France manager Didier Deschamps who knows a thing or two about defensive midfielders. Schneiderlin was handed his France debut and made the full squad who travelled to Brazil for the World Cup. He only made one appearance against Ecuador but there is no shame in being behind the likes of Pogba, Matuidi and Cabaye. Deschamps’ faith in picking Schneiderlin for the squad and starting him against Eqcuador shows he can make the step up from Southampton to Arsenal. Whether he will improve the Arsenal squad significantly remains to be seen.