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There is something which a lot of Arsenal fans, I feel, suffer from at times, especially during the transfer window. It is a process by which the possibility of signing a new player will supersede all possible avenues for existing talent to be considered.

Arsenal supporters, I invite you to consider ‘the new toy syndrome.’ Transfers are exciting, evocative and most of all stressful. From the perspective of someone whose life has been near devoted to discussing Arsenal’s potential ins and outs, it is one hell of an experience.

However, the one thing I have always found affecting the opinions of some relating to the existing players at the club is the potential for a new one to take their place. The Arsenal central midfield is one such position where this has dominated and been to the detriment of the current crop of options.

Granit Xhaka is a player with faults, there is no debate about that. But the desire to see a player with fewer faults has led to a significant lack of appreciation for what Xhaka has done really well and consistently throughout his Arsenal career.

Thomas Partey was signed in 2020 and injuries have affected him. Yet, instead of the consideration to add a competitor to his role, the word ‘replacement’ appears to be latched onto well before anything else.

Partey was our best player in 2022 up until