Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal: 3 talking points from transfer deadline day

By Adam Schultz

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Cedric Soares, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal warm up prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Cedric Soares, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal warm up prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Mohamed Elneny
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 08: Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal during the MIND series pre-season friendly between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on August 8, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

3. Not Enough Central Midfield Cover

It was widely tipped to be Houssem Aouar from Lyon. It was also Ruben Neves for a while. Yves Bissouma got a few mentions. However, no move materilaised and it now leaves the Gunners a bit short in the middle of the park.

The engine room now consists of Albert Lokonga, Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and Mohamed Elneny. What makes this even more precarious is that Arsenal will be without Partey and Elneny as both are representing their countries at the AFCON competition in January.

Depending on how far Egypt (Elneny) and Ghana (Partey) fare, Arsenal will have to make do with Xhaka and Lokonga and if there are any injuries then the Gunners could be in a heap of trouble. Maitland-Niles is staying, but he hasn’t shown himself to be of the standard required to be an Arsenal midfielder.

The summer window is now shut and attention turns to an Arsenal side in serious crisis. With players returning, Arteta could finally have his full squad available for what is arguably his toughest stretch of pressure games since he took over.

Will Arteta guide Arsenal back up the table? Or will he be the first managerial casualty for the 2021/22 season? It’s some turnaround for him to oversee.

Next. Best & worst signings of the summer. dark

The time for excuses is now over. We wait with anticipation.

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