Arsenal’s midfield summer transfer target is the danger

What the Arsenal team looks like now and what the Arsenal team could look like come the end of the Premier League season might not be all that different.

In terms of the squad there will be further changes with players’ contracts running out and gaps to fill from those out on loan who will leave permanently, but in terms of the starting lineup it will remain mostly unchanged bar one, possibly two, new additions.

At centre-forward there will be a fresh face to look at with Folarin Balogun set to be the only senior striker remaining, with the other position that could see an alteration being central midfield.

Granit Xhaka’s future isn’t quite as set in stone as it may look as, despite his new contract extension, the whispers of a move back to Germany may well develop into legitimate talks for the Swiss.

Arsenal’s midfield summer transfer target Ruben Neves is the danger man for Wolves when Arteta’s side go to Molinuex in the Premier League

Even if he were to stay there would need to be at least one more midfield signing over the summer, and one of the main targets on the Gunners’ wishlist is set to face them twice in two weeks: Ruben Neves.

Last summer it became clear that he was a player Mikel Arteta and co admired with early talks taking place, and into the January window there were murmurs of interest again. However, as was reported at the time, any move for the 24-year-old is set to be put on hold until the summer.

Tipped to be Xhaka’s long-term replacement in the side, Neves will be coming into his prime years when he turns 25 years old in March and will have just two years left on his contract by the summer, making a move for him – already tipped at £45m – one to look out for.

As for the most pressing issue, he is the danger man for Wolves when Arsenal face Bruno Lage’s side twice in February for two huge clashes in the context of the top four race. Keeping the Portuguese quiet in his deep-lying slot is key to shutting Wolves’ whole operation down.

It’s from these withdrawn areas where he dictates the movement of the entire team. Almost always looking to stretch the pitch and go long, there are few better switchers of play in he division than him. His long distribution is excellent.

Despite not being blessed with pace he is press resistant in midfield, capable of evading challenges or getting passes off with bodies around him, and the tandem he’s built over many seasons with the everlasting Joao Moutinho is key to Wolves’ success.

Keeping focus at either full-back slot – hope remains that Takehiro Tomiyas is fit – for those inevitable raking passes, as well as tight marking centrally, are key requirements at Molinuex to try to nullify a threat who may be playing his final home game against this opposition.