Arsenal are missing a midfielder capable of linking their defence with their attack, and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse would have been a ‘perfect’ signing, according to journalist Paul Brown. Mikel Arteta brought in five new faces during the transfer window and spent over £100 million but may still end up regretting not recruiting another midfielder.
Porto star Fabio Vieira was the only new midfield option brought to the club this summer, signing for £34 million. 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 term.
Arteta favours a 4-2-3-1 formation, leaving just Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny as options for the deeper roles.
But with both Partey and Elneny missing Arsenal’s last two matches with injury, the Gunners have been over-reliant on just two stars.