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Back in July, Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo reported that Arsenal were pushing hard to seal a deal for then-Sevilla midfielder Steven Nzonzi.

What went down?

Arsenal did bolster their midfield contingent in the summer with the additions of 19-year-old Frenchman Matteo Guendouzi and tenacious Uruguayan Lucas Torreira. However, they did not succeed in bringing Nzonzi to the Emirates Stadium.

Nzonzi had a summer to remember, becoming a World champion with France in Russia, however, he was not able to also secure a return to the Premier League.

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The 30-year-old ultimately switched to Roma and probably has few regrets about the collapse of his touted move to north London.

What might have been?

Unai Emery’s search for additional midfield depth goes on and the Gunners’ situation is set to become even more desperate with Aaron Ramsey’s days at the club now also numbered. The Welshman’s departure will leave Arsenal even lighter on numbers in the middle of the park.

Signing Nzonzi in the summer would’ve alleviated this situation somewhat but it would likely have only represented a short term fix. At this stage in his career, Nzonzi wont improve a great deal more and he doesn’t have the ability to take the Gunners up to the next level.

Whilst it might have been a simple solution, Nzonzi’s arrival could have in fact done more damage than good as Arsenal could easily have been lumbered with an expensive midfielder who is short of the required quality.

The mission to find midfield cover goes on, but Emery ought to consider Nzonzi a bullet dodged.