For a team talked about as title contenders at the start of every season, Arsenal’s inability to even challenge for the big prize in recent campaigns is alarming. Gone are the days of the ‘Invincibles’ and the Thierry Henry causing havoc on a weekly basis, with the Gunners’ ceiling now appearing to be Champions League qualification – which, for all the mocking, is very important.

But talk of a deal for Mats Hummels got us thinking. Could the German defender be the missing piece of the puzzle? Could he be the player the Londoners need above all others? Well, we think he could be the perfect medicine to solve Arsenal’s title sickness, and here are FIVE reasons why…

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CLICK ON THE MAN HIMSELF TO REVEAL THE FIVE REASONS

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Defensive leader

We don’t need to sit here and really go into detail on what’s wrong at Arsenal. Injuries and the selling of major players over the course of the past few years have been big reasons in the inability to maintain title challenges, but a genuine leader at the back has also been a factor.

Some of last term’s massive drubbings could well have been avoided if an imposing figure was camped at the heart of the defence, with Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, for all their qualities, not being the most commanding of centre-backs. Hummels is a leader and a genuinely classy defender who can assert himself on a game. Could he help Arsenal to bridge that final gap? Probably.

Best defender in Europe right now

With defending dying in modern football, there are very few top class centre-backs out there. The majority of the best in the business are already at clubs at the very top of the ladder, but Hummels’ Dortmund are by no means the force they were a few years ago.

Arsenal could lure him from Germany with the offer of European football – which is almost a guarantee at the Emirates Stadium – and land one of the very best players of his type around.

Statement of intent

There’s a lot to be said for a ‘marquee’ signing. Big money on a player with a top reputation can lift a squad and push up the decibel levels in a stadium, which are both major factors in boosting performance levels.

Hummels, although a defender, would surely tick the box, with his performances over recent seasons having been inspiring for both club and country.

Prevent a major rival from strengthening

Manchester United are said to be stalking the BVB ace, so keeping him from a potential title rival for next season could be wise. January provides a decent opportunity to do so with the Red Devils’ Champions League qualification status set to be far from certain, which would make Arsenal a very attractive option in comparison.

He’s a winner

With two Bundesliga titles and the World Cup to his name, Hummels knows what it takes to win on the very biggest stages. Having a player with such know-how could be a boost for Arsenal, who have often been a accused of a lack of belief and confidence when the season comes to its crunch.