Arsenal are into the transfer market to sign a defensive midfielder in January given Mikel Arteta’s injury concerns and Mathieu Flamini’s inconsistency. Abou Diaby only further reiterates why signing a defensive midfielder is a must.

The Brazilian international made his breakthrough in 2012, when Spartak Moscow lured the holding midfielder away from Vasco da Gama. He has since evolved into an ironman at the Russian club thanks to his natural physical qualities.

However, injuries have always been a major distress for the 24-year-old. He spent nine months on the sidelines in 2013 following an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

Arsene Wenger’s recent purchase from the very club in the shape of Kim Kallstrom suffered injury struck period with the Gunners and the Gunners manager would be hoping not to add on to that.

Despite his injuries, the Brazilian has always been influential for the Russian club making 22 league appearances for the side. Spartak Moscow fans have already started to mourn the departure of the midfielder citing his class as the cause for their regret.

(via google translate)

• If this is true, it’s a loss, good player, after all his injuries he is beginning to show his class. In Arsenal they see it, but we do not!

• Wenger buys everything that breaks down.

• From the first matches it was clear that he is a class player. However, injuries...

• Wenger knows that anyone he buys out of Spartak instantly guarantees a trophy (Remember Kallstrom?)

• Spartak sell one of the few really good players. And then they wonder that they haven’t won anything in million years ...

• It is a pity, but it will be interesting to see in the Premier League, a good player

He’s only 24 and he may well go on to become a regular for the club, if he lives up to the expectations. He seemingly has enough fuel in him to make that happen taking the Russian fans’ positive response into account.

Arsene Wenger has a reputation of spotting talents from less followed leagues. Romulo can be expected to further cement that reputation, if his transfer is made official in January.