Granit Xhaka’s arrival from Borussia Monchengladbach is the first of a few big money signings Arsenal fans will be hoping for during this transfer window. There is no doubting he is a purchase Arsene Wenger’s team have been crying out for, adding some extra quality and aggression into their midfield ranks.
Rumours persist that Wenger is still on the lookout for another creative midfielder. However, if you look at their current crop of thirteen possible midfield options, he really doesn’t need to bolster that area any more. In fact, the addition of Xhaka throws the future of a number of familiar faces into question.
So how does Wenger decide which of his thirteen midfield options make it into his final five? In reality, it’s only eleven players fighting it out for three positions, as Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are guaranteed spots in the starting line-up.
Both are world class midfielders. Ozil has the creative talents to unlock any defence and Sanchez has the explosive attacking instincts that make him vital to how this Arsenal team go forward.
Aaron Ramsey had a superb Euro’s with Wales. Along with Danny Welbeck, they are the two hardest working and most versatile players Arsenal have in the final third. If Welbeck can get over his injury problems, then he will be an integral part of the side, whether operating as a striker or out on the wing. Ramsey too has impressed in a more advanced role in previous seasons, so those two will definitely still be in Wenger’s plans.
Alex Iwobi looks set to be a first team squad player this season, after putting in some exciting performances towards the latter stages of last season. Maybe a loan move to another Premier League side would be more beneficial, but it’s good to see an academy graduate being included. Francis Coquelin is another to come through the youth system under Wenger. Along with Xhaka, he is the only other midfield option capable of sitting deep in front of the back four. He’s strong, aggressive, vocal and passionate. Surely he must stay.
Mohamed Elneny and Joel Campbell have looked decent when they have been given first team opportunities, but whether they can flourish into top Premier League players is questionable.Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have both been frustrated by persistent injuries during their time at Arsenal, but neither have progressed in the fashion Gunners and England fans would have hoped for. Maybe it’s time these four players were moved on, as I don’t think they warrant a place in the squad anymore.
Two more complicated problems are posed by Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla. You can’t really see Wilshere being allowed to leave, but you can’t see a way he gets into the team. He definitely has the talent to be a top central midfielder, but he’s just too injury prone to be relied upon.
Cazorla still looks like a class act when he pulls on an Arsenal shirt and even looked comfortable playing in a deeper role last season. But he’s 31 now and if he isn’t given certain first team assurances, then there is a chance he will ask for a move.
It’s a problem, but a welcome problem, having so many top quality midfielders at his disposal. Wenger must now decide who is in his plans, who isn’t and who gets into his best team, as he looks to mount a serious and sustained title challenge, in what could be his final season.
