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Arsenal: Lining up replacements for a midfield in turmoil
By Mac Johnson
Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka is almost guaranteed to leave at the end of the season, with a move already on the cards, and as a result will need replacing. He is key to both our play in possession and our counter attacks, and as a result I have lined up two potential replacements for him. The first is a player who has been repeatedly linked to Arsenal, in Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid. The 26-year-old is one of the most complete midfielders in the world, with his prodigious engine and defensive talent matched by skill in possession, a complete range of passing, and a penchant for a worldie from forty yards.
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A midfield combination of Partey and Torreira is fearful indeed; the Ghanaian is aggressive and tenacious. He is very good at winning the ball back, and very difficult to dispossess. He has become progressively more disciplined under Diego Simeone, and would fit well into the base of Arteta’s midfield. Like Xhaka, he has a penchant for a yellow card, although he tends to get bookings as a result of his overpowering physicality, as opposed to lack of athleticism.
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The other potential replacement is one which Arsenal have already purportedly asked about: Denis Zakaria. Arsenal were reportedly considering a swap move for Zakaria and Xhaka, and the comparison is rather apt. Aside from the coincidence of club and country in common, the Swiss international from Borussia Monchengladbach has much in common with Granit Xhaka: standing at 6’2,” he is a long rangy runner, and a bulldozer at the base of the midfield.
He is effective in possession, is very secure with the ball at his feet, and despite his height, is a smooth and confident dribbler. He is particularly talented at breaking the press with the ball at his feet, a skill showcased heavily in Gladbach’s successes in the Bundesliga this season. At 23, he has room to grow and improve, and would be a valuable addition to the Arsenal midfield. He is also an apt replacement for Matteo Guendouzi, should the Frenchman move on.
Loanee coming up next.