Arsenal’s bid for Leicester star: Why Rodgers may hold tight to Ndidi

Fresh facts have emerged on why Brendan Rodgers may hold tight to Nigerian player, Wilfred Ndidi  against the desire of  the  Arsenal  new manager, Mikel Arteta who proposed a  transfer switch to revive and stabilise the Gunners sinking boat.

According to the Leicester Mercury, Arsenal are looking to test Leicester’s nerve with a £40 million plus Granit Xhaka and Ndidi’s bid, as  Arteta looks to drastically overhaul a first team squad that looks just as dysfunctional as the whole organisation.

But the  23-year-old Nigerian  had been an integral part of Leicester’s surge up to second in the Premier League table, with 20 appearances and two goals in all competitions so far this campaign.

Tempting Leicester into talks will be difficult during the mid-season transfer window,  Rodgers looking to consolidate their position in the top four. Leicester are also in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, where they will meet Aston Villa.

When Leicester defeated Unai Emery’s Arsenal in November, Rodgers heralded Ndidi’s role in his team.

‘Ndidi is absolutely key but for any team you need a good defensive midfield player that can do a lot of the dirty work as they say,’ Rodgers said.

‘He smells danger. He can cover the ground so fast, he can press up to the ball, he can cover in.

‘Tactically he is improving and playing better. He is playing in a specific position we haven’t played before where he can run and he has got a clear role to sit and protect and be that link player.

‘With the ball he is getting better. His game is simple. He just needs to serve the players in front of him and be an option to play off the centre-halves and full-backs and continuity in the game.’

Presumably, Mikel will set up the Gunners in a 4-3-3, with a single pivot playing at the 6 and then two hybrid 8’s playing in-front of him. Ndidi is most suited to playing the single pivot within this system. Considering this is the role he holds within Rodger’s current system at Leicester.

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He also provides Arteta with the flexibility to play him alongside a partner within an 2 man central Midfield pairing. If circumstances force Arteta to make this move. You could see a pairing of Guendouzi and Ndidi working well together. On paper, the right amount of grit, energy and talent to appease the wanting Arsenal fans.