All the talk about Arsenal’s late moves in the transfer market has been regarding Youri Tielemans and the potential wide player the club would like to sign. football.london understands that Edu and the club remain in no rush to sign the Belgian and would even wait until 2023 to secure his signature on a free transfer.
For Arsenal, however, there has been a growing feeling that the Tielemans-style player is what the club need. From a personal perspective I too, initially, saw the Belgian as a great asset to potentially bring in.
However, there are two key changes that have surfaced in the past couple of months through the preseason. Albert Sambi Lokonga arrived at Arsenal having been signed primarily as a number six.
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The door hasn’t closed to the Belgian for this role at the club but football.london understands that Mikel Arteta has been impressed with Sambi Lokonga operating in a more advanced central midfield role. Lokonga thrived in pre-season playing here and offers something to Arteta.
The second change is the form of Granit Xhaka playing in the midfield. His performance against Leicester City was very impressive and gave an impression that Arsenal might finally benefit from the displays he puts in for the Swiss national side having been unlocked now by Mikel Arteta.
HAVE YOUR SAY - Should Arsenal look to bring in Tielemans? Leave a comment with your thoughts
The misconception around Lokonga and Xhaka looks to have surfaced from a clip in Amazon’s All or Nothing series on Arsenal. Within, a clip of Gabriel Martinelli meeting with Edu shows a squad board where the Belgian is situated beneath Thomas Partey; a clear indication that he is seen as a backup to the Ghanaian.
However, this was more than eight months ago. Things change and it is hardly as if this versatile squad can be pinned to a board - at least not from my perspective.
Mohamed Elneny did a fine job covering for Partey whilst he was absent in the run-in. But the Egyptian is still limited in what he can offer. If the choice were down to me, between bringing in a Youri Tielemans or a Partey competitor, the latter is the clear option. If Arsenal lose Partey, as they have so often through injury and international duty in his short stint in North London so far, the impact is huge.
Losing Xhaka or an incoming Tielemans can be covered. Fabio Vieira, who is yet to play, is versatile enough to play and excite as a left-sided No.8. Emile Smith-Rowe has potential centrally and the aforementioned Lokonga has also shone in that role.
Lose Partey for an extended period and the option to have someone who can offer what the 29-year-old does is simply not there in the same sphere. For me, this should be the midfield priority signing.
The question is who? Ibrahim Sangare has signed a new deal, Douglas Luiz is set to do the same and Amadou Onana has made the switch to Everton.
Moises Caicedo is an interesting option, and links to him have surfaced in the past few days - though competition for the Brighton star would likely be high. Edu and Mikel Arteta’s recruitment has been strong so I’d back them to find a gem, it’s about whether they see the need to or not.
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