[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast's The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Dani Ceballos looks set to join Arsenal on loan after reports suggest the Gunners have managed to persuade the Spaniard to overlook an offer from Tottenham Hotspur for the red half of north London instead.

The Chalkboard

Having had the privilege of watching Ceballos at the European Championships, and following his progress at Real Madrid, it would be no surprise to see the Spaniard add a lot of creativity and flair to the Arsenal midfield.

He was signed by Real Madrid from Real Betis and plays in midfield both as a number ten or even as a roaming playmaker in a midfield three. He's made 56 appearances for the club in two seasons since his move.

Despite averaging 28 games a season in the Spanish capital, the Madrid youngster is seeking regular game-time to prove his worth with the hope of going back to his parent club and impressing in the future.

The type Wenger would have loved

Arsene Wenger had won many trophies including three Premier League titles before moving to the Emirates, but this didn't stop him trying to evolve the club towards a more attacking and expansive philosophy of football post entering the new ground.

With that came the arrivals of players like Tomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri and Santi Cazorla, with youngsters such as Jack Wilshere breaking through the academy ranks as well to complement the likes of Cesc Fabregas.

Wenger persisted with midfielders who weren't considered a physical presence on the pitch, but who had wonderful flair and intelligence nonetheless. After moving away from that philosophy significantly towards the end of his reign, Arsenal may be embracing these sorts of players once again.

Ceballos' flexibility to play as a central midfielder can help Arsenal rediscover this exciting brand of football they used to be so famous for. In the past playing this way successfully has needed a creative influence to play deeper in midfield, like Fabregas or Cazorla, to dictate play with a number ten roaming into dangerous half-spaces.

Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

In recent years at Arsenal the holding midfielder has been paired with a more traditional central partner like Granit Xhaka, but Ceballos could play in midfield in the same way Cazorla did towards the end of his Arsenal career.

His blend of creativity, quick feet and intelligence alongside Lucas Torreira can give the North London side a heartbeat in midfield for everything to feed off, which will give the side an extra edge in possession and going forward.