Nuri Sahin, Real Madrid forward

Few would have expected Arsenal to have something to smile about this transfer window, what with the very public battle surrounding RVP, yet the disastrous situation at Malaga – which could fill a book in itself – has enabled Wenger to lure one of the best players outside of Spain’s big two, Santi Cazorla, to the Emirates.

The little winger has spent most of his career at Villarreal before his move to Malaga, and has attracted mass praise in La Liga, and make no mistake will be a joy to watch this season, if not for the struggle to pronounce a name that actually sounds like Cathorla, yet it is another who Arsenal look set to sign on loan from the very same league that should have Arsenal fans on the edge of their seat with excitement.

Nuri Sahin, as most people will know is a midfielder in the Xabi Alsonso mould, and has struggled to break into the first team at Real Madrid, with Mourinho saying he would be happy for Sahin to go on loan to Arsenal for the season.

However, Sahin’s failure to break into the first team has been through not only devastatingly untimely and lengthy injury problems, but also due to the fact Xabi Alonso is about as untouchable as you get in a Mourinho side.

When Sahin has been given a chance the boy has impressed no end, with vision and a range of passing far beyond his years. The midfielder also has an eye for goal given the chance, and if there was ever a player who you would say should flourish under Wenger and is in the ‘Arsenal mould’ it is this young boy.

During the USA tour with Real Madrid, it has been pretty clear Sahin will not be featuring next season, not even getting a look in the midfield two where you would expect to see him play, but has spent a fair amount of time at left back, and has even done this with class and a quality you might not expect.

Whilst he is one for the future at Real, Sahin will certainly benefit from some first team experience and simply has to get his fitness and confidence levels back, something that looks nigh on impossible at Real Madrid, and with the player, agent and club feeling that a loan move would be hugely beneficial, as you would expect from a man who knows best, Wenger has pounced and looks set to land the player.

Yes, a Cazorla type player is always welcome at a club, and he will certainly make an impact, and frankly for Mourinho to say he turned down the chance to sign Santi for the tug of love with Modric you have to wonder just what he was thinking, but it could well be Sahin that ends up making a huge impact for Arsenal this season, who are missing a player like the Turk, and knowing exactly what he can do when given the chance, it will be a privilege to watch the young man in the Premier League.

[ad_pod id='dfp-mpu' align='right']