3 reasons Arsenal might not sign a midfielder in January

3. Granit Xhaka’s Future Will Impact Midfield Signing

Performing quite the u-turn when his seemingly inevitable move to Roma turned into a new contract at Arsenal, the move quelled any notion of Xhaka leaving north London any time soon.

He’s returned from injury and become and integral part of the team, just as he continues to have doubters among the fanbase who see him as an individual in this squad who can be improved upon.

Now with over two years left on his deal there is reason to believe he could be here to stay all the way through until the end of the 2023/24 season. But nothing is cut and dry in this industry and while the idea of ‘protecting his value’ remains a bizarre justification to hand him a new deal, it doesn’t mean other clubs won’t lose interest.

If he did stay for just one more season this term on account of some form of agreement with the club, then his departure would alter what it is that Arsenal choose to do in the summer window. Should Xhaka and Partey remain as the first choice midfield duo going into the following campaign, Arteta might be more keen to find a long-term replacement for Xhaka to grow into the position.

Consequentially, if he does move on then there becomes a leadership vacancy in the squad as well as a drop off in experience in central midfield. That could in turn call for a different purchase, perhaps for someone who may have been around the block a bit more, as well as another acquisition since Arsenal are certain to need more than one in the summer with Maitland-Niles and Elneny departing.

In this window Arsenal could still move for the younger long-term option and save the Xhaka replacement for the summer. But Arteta and co are taking a meticulous approach to the squad building with specific profiles and characters desired. For that reason, as well as other mentioned, they may feel that holding off until the summer would be best.