Arsenal Join Race to Sign Hoffenheim Central Midfielder Florian Grillitsch

According to The Telegraph, Arsenal have added Florian Grillitsch to their target list. The Hoffenheim midfielder becomes a free agent this summer. This means Grillitsch can now negotiate with foreign clubs to reach a pre-contract agreement before the end of the season.

The Austrian midfielder joined Hoffenheim from Werder Bremen in 2017. Since then, the 26-year-old has made 151 appearances for the Bundesliga club, with 8 goals and 11 assists to his name (stats via Transfermarkt).

Grillitsch is primarily a defensive midfielder. The 26-year-old is tidy in possession and a useful outlet in ball progression. He is also an asset defensively; a good reader of the game and a sturdy tackler. The Austrian towers at a height of 186 cm, and has often been deployed as a central defender too. Grillitsch has played 12 games in defence this season and 15 in midfield.

Florian Grillitsch — Image Obtained Via: whoscored.com

Hoffenheim have used the 26-year-old largely as a central defender in a 3-man back, or as a lone pivot ahead of two centre-backs. With Mohamed Elneny’s contract expiring this summer, Arsenal have been on the hunt for midfield reinforcements. However, the Gunners are likely to find a lot of competition to land the Austrian. Clubs in Germany and Spain are already monitoring the midfielder’s contract situation.

Grillitsch 2021-22 Heat-Map (Image Obtained Via: sofascore.com)

Within the Premier League too, the interest in the Austrian seems to be high. Leeds United are another club to be linked with Grillitsch. Jesse Marsch’s side are in the hunt for midfield reinforcements as they prepare for life without Kalvin Phillips. Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are also keeping an eye on the Werder Bremen academy product.

Mikel Arteta recently elaborated on the importance of squad depth, when asked whether the Gunners are to expect a busy summer window:

“I am expecting so, yes.

‘I think both competitions [the Champions League and Europa League] require a much larger squad because the amount of games you play is much bigger in both, so I don’t think [which you qualify for] makes a lot of difference or changes a lot.

‘If you can financially afford it and we don’t have to do the turnaround in the squad that we’ve had to do, if you ask me what I want it’s 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers.

‘You have to come a long way in the aspects that you see on the pitch, it’s a lot of things that have to be put in place, and that takes time.”

With the midfielder available on a free transfer this summer, Arsenal have very little risk involved and Florian Grillitsch represents a step in the right direction. He reportedly earns around £35,000 per week. To put it into context, this amount is significantly lesser than what Bernd Leno, Mohamed Elneny, Rob Holding, Cedric Soares, and Nicolas Pepe – other squad players, earn. Grillitsch could effectively compete for a starting spot with Partey and Xhaka. Furthermore, the Austrian also acts as a contingency option in central defence.

Florian Grillitrsch 2021-22 Midfielder Percentile Radar

Arsenal have a high possibility of playing in the Champions League next season. If they do so, they will need a big squad just to be able to rotate the team and play fresh players in every match. The winter transfer exodus saw the Gunners be left with just 20 first-team players in the squad.

With just Partey, Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga available as options right now, they will need 1 more central midfielder, if not more. Signing Grillitsch on a free transfer will allow them to channel their funds in other areas of the pitch. Financially, it is a no-brainer.

Should Arsenal sign Florian Grillitsch in the summer? Who else can the Gunners target? Let us know in the comments.

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