Sandro Tonali celebrating Newcastle’s goal (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Former Arsenal star Anders Limper has suggested the Gunners don’t need to sign Sandro Tonali as they already have great options in midfield.
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Tonali was linked with Arsenal in January, with The Athletic reporting that the Italy international had been offered to the north London giants.
Arsenal may return to signing Tonali at some point, but Limper is unsure whether it is the kind of deal the club should focus on.
Mikel Arteta has primarily used Declan Rice and Martin Zvimendi as his first-choice midfield pair this season, and both have performed admirably.
There is also Christian Norgaard as a reliable backup option, and Limper actually chose him for his praise.
Arsenal say they don’t need Sandro Tonali
As for the link with Tonali, Limper revealed that he believes Arteta already has the midfielders he needs, including Norgaard as a reliable back-up option.
“I don’t know if Sandro Tonali can add anything to the midfield,” Limper told SpilXperten.
“We have Zvimendi, Declan Rice and Merino coming back, we also have Norgaard who is unbelievable.
“Should we spend a lot of money on a player like Tonali? He’ll be number five. He’s a hell of a player, but I don’t know if he will strengthen Arsenal.”
“Norgaard would be an incredible addition to Arsenal if he played regularly and was trusted by the manager, but he’s not playing because Zvimendi and Rice are playing great.”
“Midfield is not where Arsenal need new players. They have five world-class players, so Tonali would not fit in. In my opinion, we shouldn’t sign him.”
Arsenal’s summer transfer plans
Manager Fabrizio Romano said this week that Arsenal are targeting the signing of a midfielder as one of their three main priorities heading into the summer, so Tonali could be one of the names considered.
The Gunners are also in the market for a winger and a young right-back to strengthen their squad.
There’s more information on that here, and Ben White’s future is also likely to be one to watch in the coming months.
