Arsenal’s important midfield transfer rests on Thomas Partey decision

Arsenal need to sign some midfielders, while in other news water is wet and Willian was a colossal failure. The issue isn’t about volume, but quality. The other component is, what kind of midfielder does Mikel Arteta need this summer to make his side tick?

Albert Sambi Lokonga is arriving – honestly he is, he wasn’t present for pre-season training with Anderlecht – and will add depth in an area that is working its way towards being threadbare.

More akin to the Thomas Partey ilk, he isn’t expected to be thrust straight into the lineup and will instead be slowly integrated as his teammates and manager get to understand him better and vice versa.

Granit Xhaka, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira are all leaving and what remains in north London isn’t a full hand. Despite having no European football to contend with, extra bodies are essential.

Arsenal’s important midfield transfer rests on Thomas Partey decision as Locatelli and Bissouma links hint at different tactical approach

One of them looks like being the returning Joe Willock. After a magnificent loan spell with Newcastle it’s been stated that unless an undisclosed, yet ‘impossible’, offer arrives then Arteta will reward the 21-year-old with more opportunities in the first team next season.

Even with that in mind he isn’t expected to be starting regularly for Arsenal as the man to replace Xhaka will be tasked with partnering Partey for the vast majority of the coming Premier League campaign.

So far this window who exactly that player is depends on what rumours you believe and what personal preference one has for how this side will look moving forward.

Manuel Locatelli is being heavily linked and is someone Arsenal are looking at bringing in, yet earlier in the window and even at the start of last season it was Yves Bissouma who was considered the prime target. Even now both players are still thought to be under consideration.

They are, however, nothing alike. In style, build, technically or in general profile, they share few similarities.

As names like Eduardo Camavinga and Renato Sanches are also flung about, the common denominator in all of this is the man they will be tasked with playing alongside: Thomas Partey.

Were Locatelli to walk through the pearly Emirates gates then what is asked of the Ghanaian differs entirely from what responsibilities he will be bestowed with were his partner in crime to be Bissouma. Whether one trusts every rumour or not, player chemistry and relationships are crucial in a functioning football team. Based on the rumours so far, it appears Arteta doesn’t know what he wants from his midfield.

There is a vital tactical decision to make with Partey.

Continued…