Arsenal: The top two solutions to each of Mikel Arteta’s 3 targeted positions
By Josh Sippie
Holding Midfield
I’m glad that this is apparently being taken so seriously. It would have been the easy route for Mikel Arteta to stick with Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, and Matteo Guendouzi, but it’s clear that while they sometimes tantalize with capability, they don’t do it often enough. And with Torreira likely to leave, the necessity is doubled.
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It’s hard because we need a defensive midfielder and we need a pivot midfielder. The only guy that can really solve both of those at once, and even this is a stretch, is Marcel Sabitzer. Obviously he will forever rank amidst my top midfield choices. His goal production paired with his presence is just too much to pass up, even if it looks like the Gunners fully intend to pass him up.
The other choice here is obvious—Thomas Partey. With a set price that he has not opted to re-up with Atletico Madrid and a desire to ply his trade elsewhere, Arsenal is the perfect fit. We’ve everything he’s looking for (fingers crossed we make the Champions League) and I have to believe that he has a reverence for the Emirates like pretty much everyone has.
Best case scenario is we get both these guys. In case you haven’t heard, pairing them with Granit Xhaka would be the end of all things. In a good way.
“Attackers” coming up next.