Arsenal lack a midfield capable of linking their defense to their attack, and from Southampton James Ward-Prowse would have been a ‘perfect’ signing, journalist says Paul Brown.
Mikel Arteta introduces five new faces during the transfer window and spent over £100million, but may still end up regretting not signing another midfielder.
What are Arsenal’s current midfield options?
Porto star Fabio Vieira was the only new midfield option brought to the club this summer, signature for 34 million pounds.
But the 22-year-old is more of an attacking presence, playing either as a number 10 or on the wing for the Portuguese giants last season.
Arteta favors a 4-2-3-1 formation, leaving only Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny as options for deeper roles.
But with Partey and Elneny faded away In Arsenal’s last two outings with injury, the Gunners have been too dependent on just two stars.
With the start of their Europa League campaign, the club are playing a dangerous game as games go by.
What did Brown say about the situation?
Brown says Arsenal lack a player who can dictate play in depth, calling their current options too similar.
He identifies Ward-Prowse, who has 45 career goals to his name, and Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers, who was previously rated at £70mlike two stars who would have been perfect additions.
Brown told GIVEMESPORT: “I think they just missed that player who connects defense with attack and can either play the ball over the top or play that first pass out to release a runner. That kind of Ruben Neves player would have been perfect – or James Ward Prowse. I think their midfield doesn’t look weak, it just looks like they have a lot of quite similar players. So I think it lacks balance.
Did Arsenal try to sign another midfielder?
According to the TelegraphDeadline day saw the Gunners make a late push to sign Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz, with the Brazilian entering the final year of his contract.
Three offers for the Brazilian were rejected, the latest worth £25m, before Arsenal pulled out of negotiations.
Youri Tielemans was also related with Arteta’s side, with the Leicester City man’s contract also due to expire next summer.
There was reports the Belgian was available for just £25m at the start of the window but the Gunners were unable to agree a fee with the Foxes.
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