Arsenal: Lining up replacements for a midfield in turmoil

Mesut Özil

When Mesut Özil inevitably—finally—leaves, there are two players I believe can replace him. The first of those is already at the club: Emile Smith Rowe. The 19-year-old has everything necessary, experience aside, to fill the German maestro’s boots. He just has to prove himself worthy of the number 10 jersey, and a prominent role in the Arsenal midfield.

The other player, and the player who I am pinning my hopes on for the 20/21 season, is Dominik Szoboszlai of RB Salzburg. He has been seemingly overlooked with the recent sales of Braut Erling Haaland and Takumi Minamino, but I believe he is the most talented of the bunch, and the one who could impact the Arsenal squad the most. Szoboszlai is an incredible talent, his unique combination of height, skill, and power makes for a rather unique set of traits for a central attacking midfielder.

He is the driving creative force behind RB Salzburg’s attack this season. He has been far more prolific in goals than in assists, but he’s averaging .64 goal contributions every 90 minutes over his last two seasons, a strike rate most prolific European forwards would dream about. Here’s what Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe had to say about Szoboszlai:

"“There are certain players out there, rare players, who have a truly spellbinding technique when they strike the ball. Dominik Szoboszlai is one of them. It doesn’t matter where he picks the ball up on the pitch. He needs just a second to look up and pick out a run, executing surgical, precise passes that curve and whip their way around defenders. He employs a similar striking technique on set pieces, quickly carving himself out as Salzburg’s go-to guy from dead-ball situations. He’s also assumed the mantle for his national side, Hungary, this month, netting his first from 20 yards. Szoboszlai can pick up some steam while carrying the ball, too, using an imposing 6’1″ frame to his advantage, but he’d much rather beat you with his brain, not his brawn.”"

There aren’t many resume’s more incredible than that. At a mere 19 year of age, he is a proven Champion’s League and international talent, and there is literally zero reason Arsenal should not pick him up. He is one of the most exciting and dynamic attacking midfielders in the world, and with a market value of 17 million per Transfetmarkt, would be a complete and utter steal to boot. He is the ideal replacement for Mesut Ozil, despite the prowess of Smith-Rowe, and would complete an already excellent Arsenal midfield.

Arsenal fans spend much of their time bemoaning the defensive issues the club is undergoing at the moment, and rightly so; our backline is a mess. But we need to start focusing further up the pitch.

Midfield control is the name of the game in modern football, and the only way Arsenal will be able to achieve all Arteta wants out of them is to inject new blood into the squad. I believe that any of these potential signings could revolutionize the Arsenal midfield, and that we should not pass up the chance for any of them.