Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal’s Thomas Partey partner: Zambo Anguissa or Yves Bissouma?

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Yves Bissouma of Brighton and Hove Albion runs with the ball under pressure from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage on December 16, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Yves Bissouma of Brighton and Hove Albion runs with the ball under pressure from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage on December 16, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Bissouma, Anguissa
Arsenal’s summer transfer window options to partner Thomas Partey in midfield: Fulham’s André-Frank Zambo Anguissa or Brighton’s Yves Bissouma?. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Mohamed Elneny is a very likable character. To a certain degree, so is Dani Ceballos for his pure enthusiasm and desire. Unfortunately for Arsenal, their midfield won’t run smoothly on those ingredients. They need more bodies, better bodies, and two players to suit the mould are André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Yves Bissouma.

With or without Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka has proven himself to be a more than adequate central midfielder. His form since Christmas has been exemplary, with his role in the side as worthy of praise as the exciting forwards in front of him.

The options alongside him leave plenty to be desired, though. Mohamed Elneny does a fabulous job of showing Arsenal precisely what they don’t have in midfield. The lack of line-breakers and ball carriers in central midfield has hamstrung the club beyond just this season – even if the issue has become more noteworthy this campaign – the likes of Sanit Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and others never sufficiently replaced.

There is no spark, drive or invention. There is just Thomas Partey. As seen on numerous occasions when the Swiss lines up with someone other than Partey, the laborious, uninventive approach with no understanding for the economy of touches and willingness to drive returns. Arsenal can get away with on occasion, but they need more. They need variety.

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Arsenal’s summer transfer window options to partner Thomas Partey in midfield: André-Frank Zambo Anguissa or Yves Bissouma?

Whether the players they sign come in to usurp Xhaka or at least to offer genuine competition for places, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Yves Bissouma have to be among those mentioned as viable options.

Strengthening central midfield is essential come the summer transfer window. Elneny has reverse tunnel vision, Ceballos can’t carry the ball and Xhaka isn’t physically built to cover ground effectively in or out of possession. Strong links have seen Bissouma rumoured with a move to ‘boyhood’ side Arsenal, and while there has been no concrete speculation linking the Gunners with Anguissa, he must be considered.

But who would be the preferred choice to partner Partey?

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