Arsenal: Better question, who is Matteo Guendouzi replacing?

Arsenal have announced two midfielders in two days, and both are ticketed for the first team. So who is Matteo Guendouzi replacing?

Arsenal‘s midfield has gained two new players, and both are going straight into the first team, according to reports. Lucas Torreira we know for sure is going right in, as he should be thrown straight into the starting XI as well.

It’s Matteo Guendouzi that is the question mark. Unai Emery seems to think him best-suited for the first team and I’m not here to argue. A 19-year-old with a world of potential who is deemed ready for the first team? By all means, please join us.

But if that is his career track, then I have to imagine that someone is being replaced or, at the very least, someone is being threatened.

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I’ve spoken at length about how we now have six midfielders, which is the idea number when you employ a midfield three, because it gives the greatest flexibility.

Granit Xhaka, Aaron Ramsey, Lucas Torreira, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Mohamed Elneny and now Matteo Guendouzi (in no particular order, of course…).

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That is a nice little crew to have, and it’s a crew that does have an inherent pecking order, but also an upsettable pecking order – meaning that things could change given the right performances down the line.

This does, however, put into question Joe Willock, who doesn’t seem to factor in at all in this midfield set up. Guendouzi essentially replaces him. Which isn’t the end of the world for him, not by any means, but I am wondering if Guendouzi doesn’t push further up the food chain than we think.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles for instance – is he still where he was prior to the Frenchman arriving? I’m not so sure. These two could be the future of the midfield along with Lucas Torreira, but in the here and now, there are questions to address. Nothing detrimental, but certainly important.

Does this reflect on Aaron Ramsey as well? Another question that needs to be asked. Ramsey still hasn’t signed his new deal.

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It’s curious that Guendouzi is going to go straight into the first team, if that is indeed the plan. So we will just have to keep an eye out for what happens next.