A top four finish has become somewhat routine for Arsenal but a Premier League title challenge has rarely felt further away.

Ever since moving into the Emirates Stadium in the hope of winning more trophies, the shift from Highbury to London’s biggest, and most expensive, football stadium has rather backfired. The glory years of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira are firmly behind them. The future may still look reasonably promising but it's the present that's always the problem at Arsenal.

With the Gunners currently sitting in sixth in the Premier League and the January transfer window looming, Arsene Wenger needs to use the time in the New Year to capture talent, especially in the defensive areas. A vast number of names have been linked with a move to North London, and few as frequently as Southampton’s anchorman Morgan Schneiderlin.

For a start, Schneiderlin is French, so it’s not surprising that Arsenal would be interested in recruiting the midfielder. However, the question remains; is Morgan Schneiderlin really the solution to Arsenal's problems in the centre of the park?

Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho and Newcastle’s Cheick Tiote are the other names consistently suggested to strengthen the core of Arsenal’s midfield, but Schneiderlin appears a better all-rounder than either. Once more, the midfielder has openly expressed his desire to leave St. Mary’s for a bigger club. Tottenham Hotspur were strongly linked with Schneiderlin in the summer, but right now, would be a step down for the midfield man.

For a player that has played with the Saints in League One, it's a huge achievement for the 25-year-old to be currently considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. Morgan Schneiderlin is one of the top tacklers in the division, with no player making more interceptions and tackles in the last campaign.

All of this talk of a new midfield player coming cannot be boosting the confidence of Arteta and fellow Frenchman Mathieu Flamini. But the fact is the pair have consistently underperformed for the North Londoners.

With both players in their 30’s, and boasting a history of injuries, bringing in someone who is younger and can play back to back games comfortably is only logical. Furthermore, there is no doubt that there will be plenty of suitors for Arteta and Flamini, as both still possess decent reputations outside of North London.

Scheinderlin faces a massive decision in January. For a player that allegedly went on strike at the start of season in order to force a move away from the South Coast, and then play like he has done so far this season, is truly commendable. Surely it will be hard for him to move from a club that are surprising the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal with their form.

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