After the exploits of Marcelo Bielsa’s team last season, Athletic Bilbao found themselves rising up the status ladder in European football. The performances were stunning at times, but the romance of an all-Basque team really does catch the imagination. From the side that fought all the way to two cup finals last season, are there really any names currently housed at San Mames that wouldn’t be welcomed in the Premier League?

There’s being prudent and keeping the good of the business at the fore of your mind, and then there’s being extremely clever with limited resources in the transfer market. Arsenal’s public pursuit of Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Amorebieta could potentially be a very smart move with the player’s contract coming to an end this summer.

Some supporters might be concerned that Amorebieta is similar in stature to Per Mertesacker. To those who are sharp enough to look beyond the stupidity of “one of the league’s worst defenders,” the German centre-back is exactly what Arsenal have been in need of, and Amorebieta is more of the same. The Bilbao defender, who currently represents Venezuela, comes equipped with an increase in pace over the German, while the same sense of defending first, messing around later is prevalent.

While Arsenal are more than set with a defender who knows how to play the ball out from the back in Laurent Koscielny (and Thomas Vermaelen if he remains at the club beyond the summer), the team have been in need of a throwback to the traditional styles of defending. Technical ball players with plenty of mobility is a plus for those who use a high defensive line and an assured presence in midfield, but there now needs to be an overwhelming sense that the team will and can hold a position of strength for a significant period during a game.

It doesn’t always need to be the big names on the continent. I’m certain that there isn’t a real issue with how much money Arsene Wenger spends at Arsenal, rather the concern being with what he does with it. A good number of transfers in England and across Europe in recent windows have provided evidence that spending big doesn’t always guarantee success, while the business of clubs like Newcastle and Swansea have been praised league-wide.

Amorebieta fits the mould in terms of being relatively unknown, yet who has enough experience in one of Europe’s best leagues to allow for a smooth transition to Arsenal. The player is a perfect counter for Arsenal against the physical sides in the north of England. Coupled with his height, notable power and fearless approach to a heated battle in the penalty area, there is very little to doubt from Amorebieta and what he could offer to Arsenal.

The stumbling block, however, is that Amorebieta could fall into the trap of looking worse than he actually is. Buying good players is one thing, but it absolutely needs to be married with strict defensive coaching and a clear understanding between the back four and goalkeeper. The arrival of the Bilbao defender would be a promising step in the right direction, but it’s essential that Wenger continues with his newly-adopted sense of defence.

The Arsenal manager is often criticised for not being decisive with potential signings, even for players available on a free transfer. Yet the signing of Amorebieta will prove to be a one of Wenger’s smarter moves of recent summers – provided, of course, he seals the deal.

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