Even before Arsenal's two summer signings, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, came into the picture, one player was and ever since has been constantly linked with a move to the Emirates.
Yann M'Vila is a player that fits the Arsenal mould of old, tough on the tackle, strong and technically adept. Ever since Arsene Wenger was swayed by the Barcelona way, the Frenchman has looked to bring in smaller players.
The "Invincibles" of Arsenal and the successful team in the 1990s was filled with players of good technical ability, but also physical prowess. Since the smaller players have come into the squad, commentators and critics, waiting to jump on the anti-Arsenal bandwagon, have been quick to point out the frailties in the squad, and how Arsenal can be bullied out of a game.
The only real strong presence in the Arsenal team, ahead of the defense is Alex Song. And even the Cameroon defensive midfielder, has been found out quite often for his decision making and being caught out of position, in the process leaving the Arsenal back-four - or in most cases with the fullbacks pushed forward - the Arsenal back-two, extremely vulnerable.
While Emmanuel Frimpong promises much, he is still very raw and Abou Diaby - when he is fit -- has shown glimpses of being the next Patrick Vieira, but has seen injuries constantly ruin any chances.
The Gunners have missed a physical presence in the middle of the park, and therefore the signing of M'Vila could be the key factor in Arsenal finally making a sustained challenge for the English Premier League title.
Arsenal need a midfield enforcer, capable of filling in for Song as well as playing with Song, whenever necessary. M'Vila has already been compared to the likes of Vieira and Claude Makelele. He is a full French international and, at 22, is still to hit his peak. Vieira was 20 years old when he signed for Arsenal from AC Milan, and what a signing he proved to be.
Granted, M'Vila has had disciplinary problems. He has had a run in with the law, and is prone to be petulant. Wenger was reportedly put off by the Rennes midfielder's antics, when he refused to shake the hand of then France coach Laurent Blanc, after being substituted against Spain in Euro 2012.
If there is anything Wenger is good at, it is moulding a player into a better person - both on and off the field.
Wenger is a big admirer of M'Vila and the player himself has repeatedly expressed his desire to move to Arsenal. But the player will cost the Gunners a club record fee of over £17 million ($26.6m).
Therefore, it is only fair that Arsenal are convinced they are making the right choice, before agreeing to a deal. What Wenger is afraid of more than anything is a player developing under him and then moving for pastures new, after having his head turned by the massive wages on offer.
However, the Financial Fair Play system will come into effect soon, and, if properly implemented, astronomic wages will be a thing of the past. The Gunners need to be confident enough of winning trophies in the next couple of years anyway, and a midfield enforcer, who is also comfortable on the ball, can go a long way in turning this generation of Arsenal players from nearly-there to winners.
