Arsenal facing race against time for midfield transfer

Sunday turned out to be a far more calming day than initially anticipated with Arsenal seeing their game against Tottenham postponed on account of their lack of senior options.

It sparked bizarre outrage from across the division, and crucially for the Gunners has granted them more time to complete vital midfield additions to aid their worrying situation.

Their grounds for postponement fell comfortably in line with the Premier League system, and regardless of how easily exploited the rules are, the Gunners did nothing wrong. Many will point to it handing Mikel Arteta’s side an unfair advantage as they can now bolster their squad with additional time to make signings, but that has yet to transpire.

A loan deal for Arthur Melo has been dragging on with the move seemingly at a stalemate. Various reports have stated that there was an agreement in place between all parties, with the only obstacle preventing the move from getting signed off being that Juventus needed time to source their replacement.

Arsenal facing race against time for midfield transfer with Arthur deal dragging on while Arteta only has Sambi Lokonga to select from

Calcio Mercato state that there is still a feeling that the deal will go through despite Massimiliano Allegri yet to bolster his midfield ranks, but time really is of the essence.

The second leg of the Gunners’ Carabao Cup semi-final takes place against Liverpool on Thursday, and while there is still some uncertainty over whether the match will go ahead due to Arsenal’s lack of numbers, additional recovery time for certain players should, one would think, see it played out.

But whoever returns from injury or Covid will not be a central midfielder. It remains the point that Albert Sambi Lokonga is the only senior option with Granit Xhaka set to serve a two-match ban. Arsenal are worryingly short.

In order to get Arthur registered in time to play the deal will have to be completed no less than 24 hours before the match kicks off. That makes for a tight window.

Across the summer there was a clamour to get players brought in as soon as possible in order to have them integrated into the squad, but in the off-season prices will drop and openings for players arrive later in the window, so it’s usual for moves to take longer.

There is no such luxury for Arsenal this window. They need players, midfielders, and quickly.

It’s beginning to enter into slightly nervous territory. On the positive side, of course, the postponement of the Spurs game means Arsenal can go very strong for Thursday with players hoped to be back, as well as the following game after that being another home tie against struggling Burnley.

As well as fans will want Thomas Partey to be doing with Ghana, there will be plenty who are quietly content by the poor start the Black Stars have made at AFCON. But even he won’t be back in time for a one-off game to book a spot at Wembley. This match is in Arsenal’s favour now, you’d have to say, and if it is blown by being forced to field an 18-year-old in midfield then the club only have themselves to blame.