As the January transfer window approaches its closure, Arsenal could be one of the busiest clubs in the final hours of the month.
The Gunners are reported to be interested in adding a new striker to their ranks, while also being linked with a whole host of midfielders, including Gini Wijnaldum.
The Dutchman is a Premier League and Champions League winner with Liverpool, but he moved to Paris Saint-Germain over the course of the summer on a free transfer and has since struggled to establish himself under Mauricio Pochettino.
Due to the make-up of his PSG squad, the ex-Spurs boss is almost obliged to field Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi, with the latter arriving after Wijnaldum agreed to join.
Wijnaldum could be available on a short-term loan until the end of the season and once considering what he offers on the field, he could be deemed as the perfect type of player to acquire for a short six-month period.
Wijnaldum is an incredibly versatile talent who prioritises the team above his own personal gain. Upon his arrival in England, he played as a no.10 and as a wide player who would arrive late and score goals for Newcastle United.
During his sole season on Tyneside, Wijnaldum scored 10 non-penalty goals in the Premier League while registering a further five assists. One year earlier while at PSV Eindhoven, he scored 14 goals alongside three assists.
Once transferring to Liverpool, his scoring reputation persisted due to high-profile goals scored against the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona, to name but two, but his customary role was different.
Jurgen Klopp changed Wijnaldum. He fielded him as a no.8 rather than a no.10 and due to the offensive talent at Anfield, Wijnaldum was instructed to largely remain behind the ball by offering a safe presence.
Rather than getting forward and scoring on a regular basis, he helped to retain possession and focused on stopping counter-attacks on the defensive side of the game, presenting his teammates with a platform to take risks.
He scored more than four Premier League goals in just one season from a possible five for Liverpool, which highlights the underlying transformation.
Considering Mikel Arteta is attempting to turn Arsenal into a dominant team who are always in control, Wijnaldum could be invaluable given his expertise and time spent under Klopp.
Despite the tactical switch at his club, Wijnaldum's attacking threat persisted for his national team. Holland couldn't field offensive players such as Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, so they relied upon his goals more than Liverpool.
Now aged 31, Wijnaldum should be considered as one of the most adaptable players in Europe, with Klopp describing him as "one of the smartest players" he's worked with in his managerial career.
"He came here and became such a controlling midfielder, and you can only do that when you understand the game in the right way," said the German, who also deployed him as a centre-back and a holding midfielder for Liverpool at times.
Wijnaldum is whatever his coach needs him to be, and he rarely misses a match due to injury, having become known for his robustness while on Merseyside. He is a complete all-rounder.
As a temporary fix who would immediately contribute without encountering any teething problems, acquiring Wijnaldum could be a very shrewd move for Arsenal.
