Arsenal: No Summer Midfield Overhaul Required

Arsenal may be facing a summer exodus. This has created concern among Arsenal supporters but there is no reason to be disheartened.

Arsenal are facing a so-called ‘summer exodus’ with three midfielders unlikely to extend their contracts. These midfielders are Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini. With three players that play almost identical positions, it could be tough to replace them, but if we look at each player individually and which ‘internal solution’ (as Arsene likes to call them) could replace them, there shouldn’t be widespread cause for concern.

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Firstly we look at Mikel Arteta. The Arsenal captain has provided us with ample service over the past few years and looks to be set for the exit door. When Wenger converted him from a blossoming CAM at Everton to a CDM at Arsenal, eyebrows were raised and many of his performances were often given a lot of criticism which was echoed by the Arsenal supporters.

Although I may not be his biggest fan, he has been a useful part of our squad and dressing room and if rumours are to be believed, he might even be earning his coaching badges (hopefully not for our friend Pep though) and therefore has to be replaced.

That may have already happened in the most recent transfer window with Mohamed Elneny.

Currently many supporters (myself included) are unsure of what the young Egyptian’s best position is (as he is not the powerhouse CDM that people expected). But he could be the improved Arteta in many aspects. As we have already seen, his passing ability is second to none (93% in Switzerland, 100% in EPL). He can provide a whole lot more energy and drive than the Spanish man ever could.

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He is also blessed with reasonable pace and a decent shot from range. Elneny is probably most effective next to a more disciplined defensive midfielder (e.g Coquelin) and at a tender age of 23 could become a very useful Arsenal player and ‘Arteta Replacement’ in seasons to come.

The second player who is out of contract in the summer is Tomas Rosicky. When he arrived from Dortmund he was a speedy and creative CAM who had bundles of talent. Injuries may have curtailed his development but he has always been a great contributor to our football club.

When thinking of replacements, nobody stood out more to me than young Jon Toral. The Spanish wonderkid has been plying his trade in the Championship recently with Brentford and Birmingham and looks the real deal. With a style similar to that of Mesut Ozil, Toral has impressed greatly this season and this has led to speculation that he will sign for Birmingham permanently (I will lead a protest outside the Emirates if Wenger allows this to happen).

Toral is blessed with so much ability but has never really been given the chance at Arsenal. However with the impending departure of Rosicky, surely an outside arrival would spell the end for the Spanish midfielder. He won’t be expected to start every week (with the form of Mesut Ozil that is unlikely anyway) but he could be the perfect rotational foil for Ozil if he gets injured or is off form.

If Toral is overlooked for Rosicky’s squad position next season, then that will probably be the last we see of the mercurial Spaniard.

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The third and final player that will be looking for pastures anew this summer is Mathieu Flamini. ‘The Flam’ as he is well known, arrived for a second spell at Arsenal after a largely successful first period at the club earlier. He has been a very useful stopgap for Arsenal at CDM recently. Provided he is our only other real CDM, he will definitely need replacing come the summer.

For this role there is likely to be more debate, I am one of many who would like to see Wenger spend some money on a quality DM to challenge Francis Coquelin for his spot (Wanyama would be ideal). But considering Arsene’s anti-spending stance, there are still at least a few internal solutions available.

Isaac Hayden provides an interesting proposition. With experience as a CB under his belt, few would doubt his defensive capabilities.

Wenger would of course have to groom him into more of a ball playing midfielder but after seeing the success of Coquelin after a loan spell in the Championship, who says Hayden can’t replicate that miracle? Wilshere is often mentioned as the solution to the problem as he plays more of a defensive role in the English side but surely his lack of discipline should rule him out as a Flamini replacement (although Flam’s discipline is often comparable to that of a high school sub).

With Hayden’s likely period of adaptation needed and Wilshere’s lack of discipline and of course his chronic injury worries, Arsenal’s best bet would be some summer investment into a Flamini replacement.

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In conclusion, out of the three players that are leaving this summer, only one – Flamini – realistically has to be replaced (doesn’t sound like an overhaul needed to me). So don’t worry too much fellow Gooners, our squad looks healthy and able to deal with these impending departures and if we can manage to sign a quality DM come August then things will look a lot rosier in the midfield department.