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

What Do Arsenal Need in Central Midfield?

That is the question.

Partey was convinced of the project north London with the scope to play in a freer role than he was previously at Atletico Madrid. Thus, finding the right partner to balance shielding and progressive duties is key to unlocking that potential. Valid cases can be made for Anguissa and Bissouma.

Certainly the less adventurous of the two is the Malian, whose better qualities are his protection of the back four and ability to break up play. Partnering Partey, he’d be the deeper of the two, providing a wider range for the Ghanaian to pick up advanced areas as his mobility has greater benefit in defending transitions and turnovers.

With Anguissa, his penchant for dribbling and superior technical ability – he performs these audacious flicks over opponents’ heads regularly – means a finer balancing act will have to be struck. On balance, as a partner for Partey, Bissouma is the more natural fit as the there are striking similarities with Anguissa.

In the case of both, however, neither are left-footed. This is a concern. Marginally you could say Bissouma has the better wrong foot and has played on the left side of central midfield more often, as it’s not Anguissa’s strong point. Given the rhythm Arsenal have found on their left side with Kieran Tierney’s overlaps working in symmetry with a wide player drifting into the half-spaces for Xhaka to find, this does cause concern.

Choosing between the two, finance and physical stature come into play. Anguissa is a fiercer presence to deal with and, of the two, would evoke similarities to the Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit duo of 1997/98: complementary and battle hardened. Arteta’s side need physicality central area to truly boss matches, thus Anguissa shades this.

Financially, Brighton are in no rush to sell and a bidding war is expected come the summer, all of which will hike up Bissouma’s price tag. Fulham, however, may go down and Anguissa will be available for considerably less if so. With the way the season is going, either could avoid the drop or be sent packing.

From a visual perspective, what do supporters want? A little bit of everything, in truth, but Anguissa would offer congenial company for Partey and strike fear into the opposition, while Bissouma provides the more natural fit.

Both would be welcome additions in midfield this summer, even if the links to Bissouma are much more concrete than Anguissa.

*** all stats correct as of matchday 28.