The January window is just around the corner, which will allow every club to shake up their squads for the second half of the campaign.
Business in the new year can be vital in regards to a side’s overall season, and following Arsenal’s woeful form in recent months, it could be a busy few weeks at the Emirates.
Two players who have been linked with exits are Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira.
Former captain Xhaka was involved in a well-known altercation with the Arsenal supporters following his substitution against Crustal Palace, while Torreira has grown frustrated over his role under Unai Emery.
The duo, who like to ply their trade just in front of the back four, have been linked with moves to AC Milan, with former Gunners chief Ivan Gazidis now associated with the Italian giants.
So, with the pair potentially set for Emirates exits in the new year, we’ve decided to look at 10 holding midfielders the Gunners could target to replace them.
Thomas Partey
Atletico Madrid’s Partey has been linked with a move to north London in recent weeks and would provide the club with plenty of top-level experience.
Denis Zakaria
Another who has been tipped to move to north London is Borussia Monchengladbach star Zakaria. Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked with the Swiss international, who has been likened to Gunners legend Patrick Vieira.
Eduardo Camavinga
Rennes youngster Camavinga has burst onto the scene this season and is regarded as France’s next big star. A plethora of European giants have been credited with an interest in the 17-year-old, including Arsenal, so securing his services would be a major coup.
Wilfred Ndidi
An unlikely arrival at the Emirates after Leicester’s fine start to the season would be Ndidi, however, the Nigerian would improve Arsenal’s holding midfield options massively.
Thiago Mendes
Lyon midfielder Mendes has been a regular for the Ligue 1 side following his summer move from Lille. He’ll know Arsenal’s club-record signing Nicolas Pepe very well, so the Ivorian could play a part in the Brazilian’s possible move to England.
Kalvin Phillips
Phillips has been Leeds United’s star performer over the past 18 months under Marcelo Bielsa and has been tipped to become a future England international. The 23-year-old recently signed a new deal with the Whites, but if Arsenal lodged a bid, he could be tempted to finally ply his trade in the Premier League.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Watford’s powerhouse Doucoure has regularly been linked with a move to England’s elite, so with the Hornets currently struggling, January could be the perfect time for the Gunners to make a move for the impressive Frenchman.
Julian Weigl
Jefferson Lerma
Bournemouth’s Lerma has quietly gone about his business since his move from Levante last year, and after a series of consistent displays for the Cherries, he could be another the Gunners could look into.
Geoffrey Kondogbia
The final man on the list is Valencia’s powerhouse Kondogbia. The 26-year-old has already plied his trade in France, Italy and Spain, and now in his prime, he could be of interest to the Gunners.