Former Germany international and Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann believes that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger must move for a defensive midfielder, with either of the Bender brothers good options.

Lars, of Bayer Leverkusen, and his twin Sven, who plays for Dortmund, are two of the Bundesliga’s moist highly-rated enforcers, and have been lauded for their shielding abilities in front of their own backlines for some time.

Arsenal have been hit by a series of midfield injuries already this season, which has forced Wenger to re-call Francis Coquelin from a loan stint at Charlton.

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The Frenchman has since stepped from the Championship into the Gunners’ first XI, illustrating a lack of depth in the Emirates Stadium engine room, despite his impressive showings.

But, Hamann – who played a key role on Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League win with some fine showings at the base of the Reds’ midfield - feels that one of the Benders would be the ideal addition for the London club:

“It is [defensive midfield] the most important area of the modern game.” He is quoted by The Mirror. “Having a player with the discipline not to get caught out of position, the intelligence to recognise danger and the ability to snuff it out before it becomes a problem for his defenders.

“Patrick Vieira was the master. He was the best in the business for years and one of the main reasons why Arsenal were so successful.

“So, I can’t ­understand why Arsene Wenger hasn’t addressed the problem. It’s been holding his team back for too long now and it’s the reason why the title is between City and Chelsea, with Arsenal fighting for fourth place yet again.

“There are players out there, who would instantly make Arsenal a better team. They are supposed to be looking at Ilkay Gundogan at Borussia Dortmund. He’s a very good footballer – but he’s a typical Arsenal player.

“He won’t want to do the dirty work. His instinct is to join in further up the pitch, get a few forward passes going and try to weigh in with a few goals.

“For me, Arsenal would be much better served, going for one of the Bender brothers, especially Lars.

“Either of those boys would give Wenger something he hasn’t got in midfield. Someone who can read the game, is ­naturally defensively minded and who will thrive, operating in front of the back four, making sure Arsenal don’t get exposed.”

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