With reports that Granit Xhaka is on the radar of Jose Mourinho’s Roma, Dani Ceballos returning to Real Madrid and Guendouzi/Torreira looking to leave the club, Arsenal require a rebuild in the midfield. I take a look at 3 different types/roles of midfielder that Arsenal can look to sign in the upcoming transfer window.
Profiles required:
To replace Granit Xhaka & find extra depth, It’s important to know what type of midfielders Arsenal need to sign. I propose 3 types of midfielders that would do the trick.
1. A facilitating midfielder to replace Granit Xhaka. A player that can help Arsenal transition from the 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 without needing to adapt too much to the game (look at how Jorginho helped Chelsea from playing a 3-5-2 to a 4-3-3 in 1 summer.) He must be able to pass well, whilst being very disciplined as a 6.
2. A backup to Partey/Xhaka can offer the same as either player to a lesser level (strong passing, good ball-winning, solid attacking threat whilst being somewhat well disciplined.) That would give Arsenal the numerical depth they require to facilitate a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 when the facilitating midfielder is not on the pitch.
3. A goalscoring midfielder/free 8 that can slot in as a 10 in a 4-2-3-1 at times. He needs to offer Arsenal a strong attacking threat whilst having a good level of ball retention so the club won’t be disadvantaged when defending in a 4-5-1.
It’s important to acknowledge that Arsenal have a fairly limited budget as they’re going to need 3 midfielders in the upcoming Summer, which is why I’ll suggest players that are both statistically right for Arsenal & those that look right for Arsenal too get in.
Differences between a 4-2-3-1 & 4-3-3:
The 2 formations have different upside & downside for Arsenal, The 4-2-3-1 being Arsenal’s best formation, yielding the best results post-Christmas and it provides a foundation for Arsenal to build from. They’re an RCB (possibly Saliba,) an RB, and a CF/LW away from starting a success cycle on their own.
The academy players are being geared towards playing in a 4-2-3-1, which is why it was easy for Emile Smith Rowe & Bukayo Saka to lead Arsenal to good results when the formation was played. The 4-2-3-1 results in there being a bias as the AM tends to push towards the left or right side more, even if he’s equally adept at playing on both sides.
The 4-3-3 is different as the 2 CM’s in the 4-3-3 are confined to their sides, which allows for the number of attacks going from the left & right-hand side to be similar as the number of attackers are the same on both sides. The potential for stagnation is higher in a 4-3-3 unless you have a striker that’s willing to drop deep & create chances for the wingers on his own as there will be a vacant gap between the opposition DM’s & CB’s that’s filled with a number 10.
Players suggested:
Facilitating Midfielder:
Martin Zubimendi – Sociedad: An outside choice for Arsenal to look at, Sociedad’s Zubimendi has proven himself to be a good option to replace Granit Xhaka with. His profile is similar to Xhaka’s, he has experience playing as a 6 in a 4-3-3 & as an RDM/LDM in a 4-2-3-1, which works in his favour.
As Sociedad don’t build through him, Arsenal can’t look at him as a new passing outlet which is what Granit Xhaka did for the best part of 5 years unless he adapts his game to match the conditions. However Zubimendi prides himself on ball-winning & ball-carrying, he could be the perfect midfielder for Arsenal to partner next to Partey in a 4-2-3-1 or utilise as an RCM in a 4-3-3.
Fabian Ruiz – Napoli: A strong choice for Arsenal’s CM position, Fabian Ruiz is the most expensive option and the most creative option from those on this list. He primarily plays as a CM in a 4-2-3-1 with the skillset to play as an RCM.LCM in a 4-3-3 gives Arsenal a lot of freedom to create the team they dream of with him in the lineup. Ruiz’s bread & butter is ball progression with attacking output. If Arsenal end up signing him, the priority is to fit him in either a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 where he can help Arsenal in transition & get the ball in the back of the net.
Eduardo Camavinga – Rennes: Arsenal have had links with Camavinga who has 12 months remaining on his current deal with Rennes, and there’s a lot to suggest that he could be the man they need to replace Granit Xhaka. Camavinga is a high-volume tackler, presser & dribbler, despite his preference to play as an RCM in a midfield 3, having Thomas Partey as his partner in a 4-2-3-1 or around him in a 4-3-3 will be perfect.
Backup midfielder:
Teun Koopmeiners – Alkmaar: As a defensive-minded midfield option, Koopmeiners can be the perfect player for Arsenal to bring in to replicate what Granit Xhaka does, but as a backup option. He’s a high volume passer comfortable with playing as an LCM in both a 4-3-3 & 4-2-3-1, and he can slot in at left centre back if needed. If Arsenal wants to move away from the high-volume passer in midfield to remove Arsenal’s left side bias, then Koopmeiners isn’t who Arsenal should go in for.
Yves Bissouma – Brighton: Arsenal’s most intense rumor is Yves Bissouma, someone I view as a rotation for Thomas Partey, or as a long-term partner (depending on the quality of Arsenal’s CM post-Xhaka.) As Bissouma is strong at winning, progressing & passing the ball without needing too much activity to get himself into the game, he has the qualities needed to become a first choice CM option sometime in 2021/22, but to begin with, he should be treated as a rotation choice.
Advanced midfielder:
Joe Willock – Arsenal: The obvious choice for a goalscoring midfielder is Joe Willock, who scored 8 PL goals in the 5 months that he was on loan to Newcastle for. He is best suited as an RCM in a 4-3-3, as he benefits from facing off against left-footed defenders who can’t defend on his inside instead of the opposite. His ball retention is hard to properly judge, as he hasn’t played in a 4-3-3 that’s primarily employed by top sides.
Rodrigo De Paul – Udinese: De Paul is an excellent chance creator, constantly creating high-quality chances, both in open play & through set-pieces. His ball progression & dribbling is what Arsenal require from their advanced midfielder as they lack players that can complete the final action & get the team to attempt the final action. In a 4-3-3, De Paul can be utilised as an RCM, which makes squad building slightly easier from an Arsenal perspective (they can rotate him with Joe Willock if needed be,) which makes him a viable candidate for Arsenal’s 3rd midfield position.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – Roma: Pellegrini, mainly utilised as an AM in a 4-2-3-1 this season is a strong CM in a 4-3-3 as well. He is very well rounded, with his attacking & defending being of a similar standard, making him suit any formation Arsenal want to play (he’s a high percentile for expected assists, as well as in Pressures, tackles etc when compared to attacking/advanced midfielders.)
Who should they sign?
For the Granit Xhaka replacement role, Arsenal should look at prioritising the signing of Eduardo Camavinga. Camavinga offers the ball progression/passing range that Granit Xhaka gave Arsenal, whilst being able to defend to a high enough standard (there is still question marks around whether he can translate that to the Premier League or not,) with Martin Zubimendi being my backup if Arsenal are willing to wait for some time for him to acclimate to English Football/his new role as Arsenal’s ball progressor.
As a backup midfielder, the only player worth deputising/rotating with the midfielders is Yves Bissouma. He offers everything Arsenal are looking for in a midfielder, whilst being in a price bracket (£30m) that’s a fair reflection of the player that Arsenal will end up with.
The advanced midfielder has to be Rodrigo De Paul, who is available for £35m, but he has Mino Raiola as his agent. De Paul is a high-volume chance creator and someone that can eliminate the problem posed by the 4-3-3 where there isn’t that man between the lines to receive the ball & spray it instantaneously to the attackers to pad chances created.
Last Thoughts:
Arsenal isn’t in a bad position with the 3 midfielders that they need to look at/sign to complete the rebuild, & they’re all attainable for Arsenal. But It’s harder to gauge how many midfielders Arsenal will sign with Miguel Azeez being reported as someone that will be fast-tracked into the first team & with Joe Willock not going anywhere. With the uncertainty surrounding this transfer market, I’m excited to see how this will pan out.