Arsenal: 3 midfield transfer targets regardless of Partey blow

The season has not even started and yet bad news has already hit Arsenal fans. Thomas Partey, poised for a breakout campaign after a restful summer and a full pre-season, has been injured during the latter.

Hobbling off after a crunching tackle from Ruben Loftus-Cheek left him unable to soldier on in midfield. While fans wait with bated breath for the results of scans and tests, club executives can’t do the same.

They must accept and plan for the reality that Partey will miss the first few weeks of the Premier League season. Brentford on the opening day is followed by Chelsea and Manchester City. A grueling set of fixtures that now leaves an already light midfield in disastrous territory.

Albert Sambi Lokonga and Miguel Azeez have yet to acclimate to Premier League football and the strengths and countless weaknesses of both Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny are well known.

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Arsenal: 3 midfield transfer targets to look at this summer regardless of Thomas Partey injury blow ahead of Premier League

In light of this, Mikel Arteta and Edu may be forced to dip into the transfer market to find someone to fill in the gaps. If the likes of Joe Willock, Lucas Torreira and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are moved on as expected then depth is urgently required. Even without Partey being injured and Xhaka staying, this area of the pitch need reinforcing.

The exact profile of this player is yet unknown as Arsenal have been linked to players of such differing abilities and characteristics. That being said, a reinforcement should be able to somewhat replicate the unique qualities Partey brings to the midfield, with a blend of different playing profiles featured below.

The former Atletico Madrid man elevates the overall quality of build-up play. He excels at taking the ball from defense, turning into space and breaking the opposition lines through either driving runs or incisive passes. His desire to work the ball through the press instead of around the press via languid passing, as others are incapable of, are much needed in an important campaign.

Here are three young(ish) midfielders who can could be brought in to help add depth, quality and certain starting lineup potential into the midfield and, likely, fill in for Partey when he inevitably gets injured again.

3. Edson Alvarez – Ajax

Ajax have always excelled at developing talent. They have an academy that is the envy of most clubs in the world. Yet even players they buy from other clubs develop in their well-oiled machine that has a clear idea and philosophy regarding the style of play.

Big names, such as Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, have showcased their talent on the biggest stage, earning moves to European giants in the process. One Ajax enforcer who has no shortage of talent compared to those mentioned above may be poised to follow in their footsteps and move abroad.

Edson Alvarez is everything a midfielder should be; quick and mobile, he moves around the pitch with ease to help his team in the defensive phases of the game. Possessing the technical quality to bring the ball out of defence before passing it to more adventurous teammates, his somewhat lean frame belies immense strength in holding off opposition players. All of this comes packaged with incredible versatility, having slotted in at either center back position, right-back, defensive midfield or in a slightly more advanced position.

He is predominately a holding midfielder for Ajax in a double pivot with a more advanced option; someone who can enable others. With Mexico at the Olympics, however, he shows his full skillset: ball carrying, harassing, intercepting and danger. You don’t mess with Alvarez.

The upsides off the field are just as enticing as the potential improvements on it: Alvarez is only 23 years old. Being able to secure his signature now would be a suave investment on a player yet to reach his peak.

Those in charge of transfers have shown a willingness to invest in younger players with potential, completing their deals before they move to other clubs and increase their value. Only by finding and moving for players early in their career and before fees become exorbitant can Arsenal hope to rebuild.