Marcel Sabitzer edges closer to Bayern Munich move; Austrian previously linked with Arsenal
If you’re an Arsenal supporter, the last thing you want to see after this morning is yet another potential central midfield target move elsewhere. But that is exactly what looks set to occur, with RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer happy to be caught in Bayern Munich’s crosshairs.
True✅ Bayern made now a offer to @RBLeipzig for Marcel Sabitzer @BILD_Sport
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) August 28, 2021
According to BILD and SportBILD head of football Christian Falk, the Bavarian giants have officially bid for the 27-year-old Austrian midfielder, who was adamant at not extending his deal at Red Bull Arena, which is set to expire after the current season.
A reunion with former boss and now Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann would be a no-brainer for Sabitzer, who is moving into his seventh season in Saxony and being one of the clubs best-ever performers while helping them gain promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time back in their successful promotion campaign in 2015-16 after arriving from RB Salzburg.
The news may be boring to many, however, with Bayern’s first-choice central pair of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka so vital to the team that it’s hard to see where Sabitzer will slot in at the Allianz Arena unless Kimmich is transitioned back to right-back duties. Sabitzer is capable in three or four different deployment zones, however, and his quality and versatility would be desired by any top club and undoubtedly utilized by Nagelsmann should they be reunited.
Arsenal and Spurs can still stand to gain despite the move
Arsenal and their lack of central midfield options have once again been thrust into the spotlight today when Granit Xhaka was given his marching orders against Manchester City, leaving Mikel Arteta with just Thomas Partey, Sambi Lokonga, and Mohamed Elneny the only options over the next three fixtures.
The Gunners are in desperate need of central reinforcements and were linked with interest in Sabitzer earlier in the summer, but have not moved fast enough to make a move for a player that would lift their level considerably.
(L-R) Jonjoe Kenny of FC Schalke 04, Corentin Tolisso of FC Bayern Munich during the German DFB Pokal quarter final match between FC Schalke 04 and Bayern Munich at the Veltins Arena on March 03, 2020 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany(Photo by ANP Sport via Getty Images)
But there is still a win to be had this summer in the wake of Sabitzer’s expected move to Bavaria should a deal be concluded, with Arsenal capable of potentially targetting Bayern midfielder Corentin Tolisso who is surplus to requirements.
Tolisso is another option that Arsenal has been linked with interest in this summer, and now more than ever, the French international and Olympique Lyonnais youth product would offer an affordable and experienced option without the potential ties to AFCON that come with Yves Bissouma. Though there are serious questions around his fitness record, it may have to be a gamble the club should be prepared to take else they risk closing out the summer window far too light in the center of the park.
Arsenal betting odds, next game:
Arsenal vs Norwich odds: result, both teams to score, correct score & goalscorers
Arsenal’s latest videos
‘Big thanks to the fans for the reception!’ | Aaron Ramsdale on making his Arsenal debut
Aaron Ramsdale reflects on making his Arsenal debut in our 6-0 victory over West…
2021-08-26T08:17:08Z
HIGHLIGHTS | West Brom vs Arsenal (0-6) | Carabao Cup | Aubameyang (3), Pepe, Saka, Lacazette
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a hat-trick as we eased into the third round of the…
2021-08-26T08:00:52Z
Arsenal latest news
Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | West Ham United | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 2 | Chelsea FC | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 3 | Liverpool FC | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 4 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 7 | Everton FC | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 8 | Brentford FC | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 9 | Manchester City | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| 10 | Aston Villa | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 11 | Watford FC | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| 12 | Leicester City | 2 | -2 | 3 |
| 13 | Southampton FC | 2 | -2 | 1 |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 2 | -3 | 1 |
| 15 | Leeds United | 2 | -4 | 1 |
| 16 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| 17 | Burnley FC | 2 | -3 | 0 |
| 18 | Newcastle United | 2 | -4 | 0 |
| 19 | Arsenal FC | 2 | -4 | 0 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 2 | -8 | 0 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 4 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 3 |
| Calvert-Lewin, Dominic | Everton FC | 3 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 2 |
| Ings, Danny | Aston Villa | 2 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 2 |
| Fornals, Pablo | West Ham United | 2 |
| Torres, Ferran | Manchester City | 2 |
| Wilson, Callum | Newcastle United | 2 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2 |
| Gray, Demarai | Everton FC | 2 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 2 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 2 |
| Greenwood, Mason | Manchester United | 2 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 1 |
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 1 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 1 |
| Mahrez, Riyad | Manchester City | 1 |
| Grealish, Jack | Manchester City | 1 |
| Saint-Maximin, Allan | Newcastle United | 1 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 0 | 2 |
| Richarlison | Everton FC | 0 | 2 |
| Cooper, Liam | Leeds United | 0 | 2 |
| Norgaard, Christian | Brentford FC | 0 | 2 |
| Schar, Fabian | Newcastle United | 0 | 2 |
| Djenepo, Moussa | Southampton FC | 0 | 2 |
| Cantwell, Todd | Norwich City | 0 | 2 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 0 | 1 |
| Ings, Danny | Aston Villa | 0 | 1 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 0 | 1 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 0 | 1 |
| Wilson, Callum | Newcastle United | 0 | 1 |
| Grealish, Jack | Manchester City | 0 | 1 |
| Pereira, Ricardo | Leicester City | 0 | 1 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 1 |
| Murphy, Jacob | Newcastle United | 0 | 1 |
| Gundogan, Ilkay | Manchester City | 0 | 1 |
| Benteke, Christian | Crystal Palace | 0 | 1 |
| Albrighton, Marc | Leicester City | 0 | 1 |
| Duffy, Shane | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 1 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 5 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 3 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 3 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 2 |
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 2 |
| Gross, Pascal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2 |
| Pereira, Ricardo | Leicester City | 2 |
| Ings, Danny | Aston Villa | 1 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 1 |
| Fornals, Pablo | West Ham United | 1 |
| Torres, Ferran | Manchester City | 1 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 1 |
| Mahrez, Riyad | Manchester City | 1 |
| Grealish, Jack | Manchester City | 1 |
| Saint-Maximin, Allan | Newcastle United | 1 |
| Murphy, Jacob | Newcastle United | 1 |
| Richarlison | Everton FC | 1 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 1 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 1 |
| Cooper, Liam | Leeds United | 1 |
