Mikel Arteta admits a looming midfield crisis at Arsenal as he aims to make a huge “replacement”

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Mikel Arteta admits a looming midfield crisis at Arsenal as he aims to make a huge “replacement”

Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal will need to find a solution to the looming midfield problem in his squad.

The Gunners were the top spending club during the most recent window, bringing in six players at a total cost of almost £150million.

The spree didn’t reap immediate rewards, but after three straight defeats to kick off the season, Arteta has seen his side pick up 10 points from a possible 12 since.

Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal must find a solution to their looming midfield problem.

The Gunners were the most expensive club during the most recent transfer window, spending nearly £150 million on six players.

The streak did not yield immediate results, but after three straight defeats to begin the season, Arteta’s side has picked up 10 points from a possible 12.

This improvement in form has coincided with the return of Thomas Partey from an ankle injury. After suffering an injury during pre-season, Arsenal’s marquee signing from the summer of 2020 missed the first three games.

Arsenal’s midfield “anchor,” as Arteta described him, has started every game since, and the Gunners have gone undefeated since his return.

However, Emirates officials are already preparing for the possibility that they will be without the Ghana international for an extended period of time later in the season.

Partey is scheduled to travel to Cameroon at the end of the year, with the African Cup of Nations beginning on January 9.

If the Black Stars advance, Partey will be on the pitch for his country until February 9, missing at least three Premier League games.

His midfield colleague Mohamed Elneny, who will represent Egypt at the tournament, has a similar story.

The absence of the pair means that options in the middle of the field will be limited, especially if Granit Xhaka’s knee injury keeps him out until well into the new year.

Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ainsley-Maitland Niles are potential replacements, but Arteta has hinted that a January arrival could be on the way to fill the void.

“Let’s see where we are at that point, which players we have available, which players definitely have to be there and for how long, because there are some question marks there as well,” the Spaniard explained.

“We will find a solution. If they have to leave, they have to leave. We’ll have to find the right replacements for them.”

According to recent reports, Arteta’s top priority for the January transfer window will be to sign a midfielder and another full-back.

The search for a striker appears to be postponed until next summer, when both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are out of contract.

Gabriel Martinelli is another forward who has struggled for minutes, not coming off the bench since the season’s second game.

Arteta, on the other hand, stated that he had no intention of allowing the Brazilian to leave the club in January.

Asked about a potential move, he said: “No, I’m very happy with him, we’re not thinking of anything like that.”

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Mikel Arteta admits a looming midfield crisis at Arsenal as he aims to make a huge “replacement”