Have Arsenal made the wrong call regarding transfer target?

After speculation dominated the better part of a year, it came as a bit of a surprise that the rumour mill seemingly cooled down on the Schneiderlin to Arsenal links. Was it pure speculation that finally lost steam? Or were Arsenal actually interested in the player but eventually changed their minds?

My guess is somewhere in between. Arsenal did indeed show faint interest, but reports blew it out of proportion. Coupled with the emergence of Francis Coquelin, and it now appears Arsenal may discontinue their interest in the player. Is this the right call? If recent form has anything to do it (it should), then Arsenal were spot on. Schneiderlin scored his first goal since January last weekend against Stoke, and before that hadn’t scored since September.

Goals or lack thereof aside, Schneiderlin’s overall form lately has been a shadow of the form he displayed last season going into the beginning of this season. Aside from a few decent cameos for France, he has looked bang on average if I’m honest.

The 25 year old is still a fantastic footballer by all means, but those who were clamoring for his signing perhaps need to take a step back and take note. His inconsistency should be a real concern for Arsenal or any potential suitors for that matter. A player of his class should have much more of a regular impact on affairs for his club, and 4 goals and 1 assist throughout the season simply is not going to cut it.

They aren’t going to cut it for Southampton’s top four hopes, and they wouldn’t cut it at Arsenal. That is not to say that he is no longer an Arsenal calibre player, but in reference to Arsenal’s apparent dying interest, it is just about right. He could still get his move, but he will find it far more difficult. As for as Arsenal are concerned anyway.