Youssouf Mulumbu, 26 (West Bromwich Albion)
Youssouf Mulumbu played a starring role in West Bromwich Albion’s impressive last season, but has been part of a struggling side this term.
Nevertheless, the Congo star has been one of the Baggies’ more reliable performers screening the defence, and helped his team to victory at Manchester United and a point each against Arsenal and Chelsea.
Mulumbu makes 2.3 tackles and 3 interceptions on average per match in the Premier League, but there is a sense that he is not what is required at present.
While Mikel Arteta is 31 years of age, his style of play isn’t that of a lung-busting destroyer in midfield, and he ought to have a good few years left at the top.
Mathieu Flamini, Arteta’s club colleague in the anchor role, is 29, and were Arsenal to go for a defensive midfielder, they may be better advised going for a younger player who can be better mentored by the Gunners pair.
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