Marouane Fellaini has been in the Barclays Premier League spotlight in the last couple of years because of his tremendous performances for Everton, and long-admirers, Arsenal, could be the club tailor made for the Belgian, or vice-versa.
The Everton midfielder has been attracting attention from the biggest Premier League clubs in recent times, and his performances have shown why. Even though Fellaini joined the Merseyside club as a defensive midfielder, he soon became the driving force for former manager David Moyes, who has been full of praise for the player. The 25-year old has not only contributed as a no-nonsense midfielder, but also as a lethal attacker, with his aerial ability combined with a strong physique making him a nuisance for opposition defenders in the penalty area.
Looking at the current Arsenal squad, the midfield has players like Fellaini’s former team-mate Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky who are all light-weighted wizards with the ball, but struggle to muscle out players in the opposition. That role was played outstandingly by Alex Song, who was sold to Barcelona at the end of last season. The Gunners have missed a dependable physical presence in the midfield, which would allow passers like Arteta and Wilshere to play their natural game, without having the pressure of being makeshift defenders.
The directors of Arsenal would be impressed by Fellaini’s career so far, as the Belgian has been a loyal player to all the clubs he has represented. He started developing a career for himself at native Standard Liege, where he joined the youth system in 2004. Having progressed well in a short span of time, he was offered a professional contract in 2006, which was accepted. And within two years of consistent performances for the midfielder, he caught the attention of Moyes, who bought him in 2008 with high hopes. Fellaini surely fulfilled the expectations, as he scored 25 goals in 138 appearances, commendable for a naturally defensive midfielder.
To the delight of Arsenal fans, a move to London would bring Fellaini back with Arteta, a midfield duo that so nearly brought Everton to the UEFA Champions League.
Arsenal supporters will be hoping for an announcement about the long-awaited acquisition in the coming weeks, as other rivals continue the strengthening process.