Report: Arsenal turn their attention to 19-cap defensive midfielder

By grvadmin

Arsenal have revived their interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s defensive midfielder Lars Bender, according to reports in today’s The Sun. A move for the 26-year-old could see him link up with international teammates Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker.

Bender – who has been capped 19 times at senior level – has been the subject of interest from the Emirates outfit for some time now, with the Gunners even having an £18.5 million bid rejected last summer. He made 25 league appearances throughout an impressive league campaign for Leverkusen, in which the German outfit secured a 4th placed finish and Champions League qualification.

Lars Bender – Average Duels Won 2014/15 (via Squawka.com)

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is understandably keen to promote competition for places throughout his side, with Francis Coquelin the latest player under the microscope. Arsenal have been linked with several holding midfield players thus far, including Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin, and Bender becomes the latest touted with a move to the Emirates.

His experience alone would make him an astute signing for Arsenal, but he is clearly a player with immense quality. A cheaper alternative to Schneiderlin, he could well be the man Wenger prioritises throughout the summer window.

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