Arsenal’s midfield has been a conundrum all season, with many options used, and many players linked ahead of the summer transfer window.
Granit Xhaka was outstanding as a number eight last season, but departed for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
Arsenal did bring in Declan Rice and Kai Havertz at great expense, with Rice thriving both at the base of midfield, as well as further forward, but the same cannot be said of Havertz.
The German initially started the season in midfield, and simply could not replace Xhaka’s ability to progress the ball. However, he has since thrived as a centre-forward, and it is clear that his best performances come when he is deployed as a striker.
This development over the season, as well as fresh reports that Arsenal are set to sell Hale End starlet Charlie Patino in the summer, may indicate a slight change in transfer strategy for the club.
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Charlie Patino and Kai Havertz developments may mean Arsenal target a central midfielder in the transfer window
Patino is now set to leave, with Ethan Nwaneri potentially enjoying more game time next season, given that the 20-year-old has little prospect of breaking into the Arsenal midfield.
There could be further departures, with Jorginho out of contract as it stands, and Thomas Partey potentially on the chopping block after failing to prove his fitness this season.
Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad has been strongly linked, and whilst the Spaniard is more of a defensive midfielder who plays at the base, he can play further forward.
However, with Havertz no longer being considered a starter in midfield rather than the attack, and the sale of a natural number eight in Patino, Arsenal could end up targeting another midfielder to add more depth and quality to the position.
Who could Arsenal target as a number eight in midfield?
Even if Zubimendi arrives to replace Partey and possibly Jorginho, Arsenal do have options in Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe. However, both are arguably more suited to playmaker roles as a number 10, rather than box-to-box style players.
One option who has already been linked is Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich, who can also play at right-back, and a natural number eight who can contribute both ways, whilst progressing the ball, could be a valuable addition.
Bayer Leverkusen star Exequiel Palacios was briefly linked in recent months, but Arsenal may look for someone who can also contribute goals and assists from the position. This would make Arsenal’s squad complete in terms of profiles, numbers and quality, and one dream option could be Jamal Musiala, who is still facing uncertainty over his contract at Bayern Munich.
Rice’s ability to play at both six and eight makes this second midfielder less of a priority transfer, but this could be a market opportunity for Arteta given that Havertz may no longer be considered Xhaka’s replacement.