Three holding midfielders Arsenal could look to sign in the summer
By Nick Powell
For much of last summer, Granit Xhaka was seen as the most likely candidate to be heading out of Arsenal before he signed a one-year contract as the transfer window drew to a close.
But despite missing out on him in 2021, La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy are reporting that he remains the “first name” on Roma manager Jose Mourinho’s wish list this summer.
With Xhaka set to tip the wrong side of 30 later this year, and young players needed to continue Arteta’s long-term re-build, it’s hard to see he would halt another Roma advance.
So if, unlike last summer, the two clubs manage to agree a fee and Xhaka moves on, where can Arsenal strengthen their midfield to fill the gap Xhaka going to Roma would leave?
Douglas Luiz
The 23-year-old deep lying holding midfielder has thrived in the Premier League since his move to Aston Villa in 2019, and has recently played as a lone holding midfielder in a 4-3-3.
But he arguably operates even better in a holding partnership in a 4-2-3-1, which he’d be able to do alongside Thomas Partey for Arsenal.
Though he is goalless so far this season in the Premier League, he has bagged three assists and shown his defensive qualities with just under two tackles a game and a tackle success percentage of 68%, compared to Xhaka on 60%
He would seem like a brilliant fit, allowing Partey freedom to play a more important role in Arsenal’s attack as Luiz sits deeper as a traditional holding midfielder.
With Arteta knowing Luiz well from his two-year stint at City – in between his two work-permit enforced loans – he will be hoping Edu can tempt his compatriot to the Emirates.
With only a year left on his deal, Arsenal could get this deal done for under £25 million, which would be an absolute bargain
Florian Grillitsch
Speaking of players who have a short amount of time on their contract, clubs are circling round this Hoffenheim playmaker Florian Grillistch, and Arsenal might be able to join the front of the queue.
Like Luiz, Grillitsch operates best sitting deep, having often played as a centre-back too in his career, and his defensive prowess would also allow Partey to express himself.
Standing at 6”2, he dominates aerial duels and is an excellent and instinctive defender.
And with his contract up for renewal this summer, Arsenal could snap him up on a free, which would go some way to making up for the departures of Mesut Ozil, Willian and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who have also all left for nothing in the last 12 months.
With over 150 starts for Hoffenheim and 33 appearances for Austria, the 26-year-old has the perfect blend of relative youth and experience, having also played in both the Champions and Europa League.
Though he may not be every fans first choice, his rock solid defensive record could be the perfect antidote to Xhaka.
Mikel Merino
This is perhaps the riskiest of the three options for a number of reasons, but there are also several things that make moving for Mikel Merino an attractive option.
Another relatively young player with plenty of experience, the 25 year old also has the defensive qualities and aerial presence to be able to make him a combative player, albeit one who will get less red cards than Xhaka.
He has played alongside Martin Odegaard at Real Sociedad, and that is a club close to namesake Arteta’s heart, being his boyhood club and one that he spent a season at in 2004/05.
That means the manager is likely to be keeping an eye on Merino and, unsurprisingly, Arsenal were linked with the all-rounder midfielder last summer.
So what are the risks? Well with his release clause at £60 million, he would cost 33% more than Thomas Partey, and though he has evolved as an attacking player over the years, he still does not provide a huge attacking contribution for a £60 million player.
But maybe Arsenal need to spend big if they are to take the next step to challenging the big three at the top.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
