How Arsenal could line up with Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori

Midfielders

Defensive midfielder - Declan Rice

Last summer's £100m signing has comfortably proved his worth to Arsenal fans by excelling in not one but two key midfield positions - both centrally, and in a deeper role in midfield. Rice could feature in either place without the team skipping a beat.

Going into next season, the Englishman will undoubtedly start regardless of his position on the pitch. But since the Gunners are closing in on a deal for a new central midfielder, it seems Rice could be destined for more minutes at defensive midfield.

Left central midfielder - Mikel Merino

Ever since Granit Xhaka departed last summer, Arsenal have been unable to effectively plug the gap in midfield, and that's not because of Declan Rice - absolutely not. It's more so that Thomas Partey's reliability issues have thrown a spanner into Arteta's plans. Frankly, the Gunners should have replaced both Partey and Xhaka simultaneously.

The Ghanaian midfielder featured just 14 times in the league last season, and that inevitably stretched the midfield subdivision to the point where the likes of Kai Havertz were being forced into Xhaka's responsibilities.

But finally, Arsenal look to have to approached this issue, and Mikel Merino is a fantastic solution. A technically gifted player, Merino also isn't afraid to show some grit when needed, and he could look well at home in Arteta's setup.

Right central midfielder - Martin Odegaard

The skipper, the playmaker, and the team's finest technician - Martin Odegaard is set to lead his team for what will be his fourth full season at the club. If Arsenal are to pip Pep Guardiola's City to the league title, their Norweigan creative will be key.

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