It’s a real sign of how things that have changed that Jerome Boateng is now being linked with moves to fallen giants like Arsenal and Milan.

The Bayern Munich centre-back was a key part of the jigsaw when the Bavarian giants lifted the Champions League in the 2012/2013 campaign, playing the full 90 in the final against rivals Borussia Dortmund. His stock has since fallen through the roof however, seeing his game-time at the club become increasingly limited. He has just nine matches to his name in the Bundesliga, totalling a measly 587 minutes of football in Germany’s top-flight.

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Reports in recent weeks had suggested Arsenal had enquired about his availability over a possible swoop for him in this January transfer window. Now, according to Sky Sports, Milan – who are currently tenth in Serie A – have entered the race to sign the central defender.

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And after hearing about the Serie A giants’ interest, Arsenal fans flooded to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the latest update on the veteran ace.

A few fans were quick to praise the work of former chief executive Ivan Gazidis who now works for Milan, with one supporter in particular hailing him for “coming to the rescue”.

Some fans of the Gunners admitted that Milan’s interest in the central defender just said everything about the state of decline at both clubs.

Whilst it appears many Arsenal fans are keen for the club to dodge a bullet with the potential signing of Boateng, the German would bring a wealth of title-winning experience and an elite mentality to the club. Mikel Arteta desperately needs to build a culture that doesn’t accept losing, and having someone like the Bayern defender in their ranks could help to reinforce that notion that only first is acceptable.

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta must continue Unai Emery’s only lasting legacy at the Emirates.