Arsenal’s reported interest in Sandro Tonali has sparked debate, not least from former England international Chris Waddle, who recently questioned whether the Gunners “really need” the Newcastle midfielder.
Tonali, currently at Newcastle United, is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most complete midfielders. The Italian international combines tactical intelligence, defensive discipline, and progressive passing—qualities Arsenal value highly as they look to maintain their status as Premier League title contenders while also competing deep into the Champions League.
One of the key reasons for Arsenal’s interest is depth and rotation. Last season exposed the physical demands placed on their midfield core, particularly Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard. Injuries and fatigue at crucial moments disrupted rhythm and results. Tonali’s ability to operate as a deep-lying playmaker or a more dynamic box-to-box presence would give Arteta flexibility to rotate without a drop in quality.
Additionally, Tonali offers a different profile to *ARSENAL*’s current options. While Rice excels defensively and Ødegaard thrives creatively in advanced areas, Tonali bridges both roles. His composure under pressure and ability to dictate tempo could help Arsenal control high-stakes matches more effectively—something that has occasionally eluded them against elite opposition
But Waddle is not sure that Tonali will be the right signing for Arsenal: ‘They’ve got Declan Rice and they’ve got Martin Zubimendi, who’s a very good player. But Arsenal seem to collect players,’ Waddle told FootballTransfers
‘Tonali has had a couple of great seasons, he’s got better this season. He’s a good age and I’m not surprised there’s a lot of clubs interested in him. He’s a very economical player, he’s a little bit like Declan Rice, let’s be honest, he’s very consistent with his pass ratio, he’s got a good shot and he’s got a good engine.
‘In my mind, he’s a very similar player to Declan Rice, though. Do Arsenal really need another player like that? I know squads strengthen every year and that’s how football moves on.’
Waddle’s doubts reflect a broader question: is Tonali a necessity or a luxury? For ARSENAL, the answer appears to lean toward opportunity. In a league where marginal gains often decide titles, adding a player of Tonali’s calibre could be the difference between competing and winning.
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