Arsenal Transfer News: Nuri Sahin Could Join Santi Cazorla at Arsenal [Scouting Report]

Arsenal's sale of midfielder Robin van Persie to Manchester United and the rumored departure of Alexandre Song to Barcelona could leave the Gunners a little thin in the middle.

This has increased speculation that Arsenal might have stepped up their efforts to land struggling Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin. Originally, the 23-year-old Turk was set to go on loan to Liverpool but the move was stalled by Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, who hopes to beat the Reds offer if Song does indeed end up with the Catalans, according to a report by The Sun.

Once heralded as the best player in Bundesliga two seasons ago, Sahin transferred to the Los Blancos but was never able to live up to the lofty expectations at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Santi Cazorla was one of Arsenal's biggest signings this summer, and along with Sahin the Spanish midfielder could help fill the void left by van Persie and possibly Song.

As it stands, the two could bring excellent playmaking skills to Emirates, but they do have their drawbacks.

As a member of the Spanish national team, Cazorla has put home four goals and recorded one assist so far this season. He is one of the most well-round midfielders in the game who uses his speed to sail pin-point crosses around the pitch. Cazorla can also play all positions in the midfield.

One of his main drawbacks is that he passes too much. He has never scored in the double digits for a season, but with his skills he should put up goals in bunches.

Like Cazorla, Sahin is also versatile passer. From 2008 to 2011, he scored 16 goals and assisted on 25 others for Borussia Dortmund. Real Madrid snatched him up after that impressive run, but to date he has only scored one goal for Los Blancos and recorded zero assists.

This could be contributed to his one-foot style. Sahin favors his right, which greatly limits players once they enter such powerhouse leagues as La Liga.

It remains to be seen if Sahin will even make it to Wenger's club, but if he joins forces with Cazorla Aresenal will still need a scorer to make up for van Persie's departure.