Mikel Arteta will make a new central midfielder his priority during the January transfer window, according to reports.
Braced for the potential departure of Granit Xhaka, Arteta wants to strengthen in the middle of the park once the transfer window opens.
According to The Athletic, the Gunners are already preparing for Xhaka’s impending move back to Germany.
Hertha Berlin have been heavily linked with a deal to sign the unhappy midfielder and should he go on to leave the Emirates, the Gunners would be left short of options.
Read Arsenal verdict
It doesn’t look like Arteta will have any kind of ‘settling in’ period, Xhaka’s desire to move away means that he’s got to get straight down to work on this Arsenal squad.
Xhaka may no longer want to be a part of it and while it was claimed that the new Arsenal manager wanted the former club captain to stay, supporters have to see this as a good thing.
After his recent clashes with supporters, making Xhaka a key part of the team once again at a time when the team is evoling and adapting may not be such a good idea and it could open him up for further criticism.
