Arsenal: Is everbody missing the real solution?

Arsenal are nearing the blockbuster signings of both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. But is everyone missing the real solution to this team’s continued struggles?

The January transfer window is in full flight and Arsenal are right in the thick of things. The biggest saga to have run throughout the past two weeks is the impending departure of Alexis Sanchez, which could be completed as soon as Friday afternoon — this piece is being written on Friday morning.

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The deal, it is believed, is a straight swap for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with personal terms now reportedly agreed upon. In addition to the Armenian’s arrival, Arsene Wenger has also pursued Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in an attempt to not only replace Sanchez but improve from his departure. It may work.

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But the problem for Arsenal is not an attacking one. While Sanchez most certainly needs to be replaced and replaced well, especially with the possibility that Mesut Ozil could follow him out the door at the end of the season for nothing, the Gunners have not toiled to score goals this season. Only Spurs, Liverpool and the two Manchester clubs have scored more. The next closest team in terms of goals scored in Leicester City, who are seven behind — Chelsea have scored exactly the same amount.

And in terms of the personnel in the squad, Arsenal are most blessed in the attacking positions. Beyond the starting trio of Sanchez, Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette, the likes of Olivier Giroud, Alex Iwobi, and Danny Welbeck are hardly uninspiring alternatives, and that is having already sold Theo Walcott on Thursday to Everton.

The solution is not an attacking one; the solution is a midfield one, and that is what is being roundly overlooked. While Wenger focuses his attention on replacing Alexis, he continues to ignore the plight in central midfield.

With Francis Coquelin now sold, there are only four viable central midfield options in the squad: Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka. Now, there is the thought that Ainsley Maitland-Niles may be considered as a midfielder, but with both Sead Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal struggling with injuries, as well as the latter being considered a centre-half for almost all of the season, the position Maitland-Niles would be leaving behind, left wing-back, needs him more than central midfield.

Moreover, Xhaka, in particular, is not of the level that Arsenal require in the Premier League. His long-range passing, while sometimes wonderful, is far too inconsistent, his immobility is painfully restricting to the rest of the team, he has no sense of danger, he is unintelligent, routinely caught out of position, and his tackling is still a little rash and abrasive at times.

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Signing Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang, inherently, is progress. That cannot be denied. But it is not enough progress and, more acutely, it is not progress in the right areas. I can’t help but fear that everyone is missing the real solution because of the glitz, the glamour, and the glory of the big name.