Arsenal: 2 central midfield solutions during AFCON

The Africa Cup of Nations is an interesting conundrum that Arsenal are preparing to face, one the club probably didn’t expect would be as important as it is now set to be. It’s still a competition that hurts Mikel Arteta in attack with two absentees, while midfield is also set for a hit.

In the centre of the pitch it wouldn’t be an almighty issue if the other options for Arsenal weren’t all almost certainly leaving the club. Of the current crop it’s only Joe Willock and Mohamed Elneny who look most likely to stay, barring the obvious with Thomas Partey.

Elneny is someone who it grows more and more likely won’t be moved on and instead will either play out his final year or sign a one-year extension to protect his value, while Willock might be someone the club sits on for a while to see what can be managed over the coming ten weeks.

If the club can’t feasibly bring in the right quantity and quality of options for that position then despite Willock’s value never being higher, their hands become somewhat tied in that department. Should that occur, nobody will be bemoan his return. He’s deserved it.

Arsenal: 2 central midfield solutions for Mikel Arteta during AFCON if the desired signings don’t arrive in summer transfer window

Albert Sambi Lokonga is an imminent arrival who will help the numbers, but come the January period the club are faced with an unavoidable issue.

Of course, the plan come that point is that the midfield will be in tip top shape and as complete as it can be come the winter. Work is taking place the reinforce that department with the likes of Ruben Neves touted, an ilk of signing that becomes imperative.

Lokonga, Willock (maybe) and Azeez, while all rated highly, are not a trio of players who will instill much a great deal of hope in the Premier League. Not yet. As it stands, those away at AFCON – working on the basis they reach the latter stages – are, if all goes well, set to miss:

• FA Cup 3rd round
• Carabao Cup semi-final 2nd leg
• Tottenham (A) – Premier League
• Burnley (H) – Premier League
• FA Cup 4th round
• Wolves (A) – Premier League

Naturally, these dates are mostly subject to change and Arsenal may not even be playing in some of them, as well as a few of their squad not even reaching the later stages but it’s nonetheless unfortunate timing.

Ideally new arrivals will soften the blow, but there are two other versatile options who could aid the Gunners’ cause.

1. Ben White

It needn’t be made clear that Ben White is not an Arsenal player yet. Just as with Lokonga, the Gunners are likely to submit around three bids before they find an agreement with Brighton, after seeing a £40m offer rejected and a second around £45m also due to be knocked back with the Seagulls holding out for closer to £50m.

As it stands though, numerous discussions with White’s representatives and solid claims that the defender wants to join Arsenal make this an increasingly likely addition.

One of the endearing aspects of his potential arrival is his use in various systems. Playing at right-back previously, on either side of centre-half in a back four as well in a back three, tactically those traits work wonders for Arteta as he would love to see White shift out to the right side in possession and play forward with an attacking right-back alongside.

Beyond that, his previous spells in midfield won’t have gone unnoticed.

White made seven Premier League outings in holding midfield last season, usually alongside Yves Bissouma, while also dabbling with the position in his spell at Leeds.

We’d like to imagine that some serious thought has gone into his signing and what will happen during AFCON, and even if it’s not an ideal scenario where your (potential) £50m centre-back is playing in midfield, that option remains.

The standout feature of White is his composure in possession; comfortable playing under pressure, never seizing up with his movements and confidently carrying through the thirds. You’d rather he was playing centre-back all the time but it will certainly have crossed Arteta’s mind.