Edu knows valuable Toni Kroos truth to sell Granit Xhaka and upgrade Arsenal's 2022/23 midfield

There has been a clear sign that Arsenal intend to strengthen the central midfield in the near future through prior and current links to some of the top midfielders in the game.

Last summer saw Arsenal try to sign Italian midfielder Manuel Locatelli before he opted to join Juventus after the European Championships. Granit Xhaka was close to joining Roma but with the clubs failing to agree a deal, he extended his contract in north London instead.

Despite this, understands that Roma are expected to return in the summer which would open up the opportunity for Arsenal to replace the Swiss midfielder.

The players linked to the club provide an insight into the style of midfielder that Mikel Arteta is clearly looking for.

Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans, Wolves’ Ruben Neves and Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz would all fit perfectly into the new role that Mikel Arteta is using Granit Xhaka in.

Playing Thomas Partey as the deepest option in the midfield three of the 4-3-3 formation has pushed Xhaka into a central midfield position tasked to supply the left flank and send passes into the false nine Alexandre Lacazette.

Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard has dropped into the middle third to operate as a right-sided creative midfielder to combine with Bukayo Saka.

What Xhaka has in common with Tielemans, Ruiz and Neves is that all four lack the quick acceleration and speed that some central midfielders have. The ability to cover large areas similar to the likes of N’Golo Kante.

Thankfully, Partey’s athleticism covers this need and having a consistent passer ahead to feed the forward line is what Xhaka already gives. The difference is that all of Tielemans, Neves and Ruiz provide better technical ability on the ball.

Where Xhaka often uses his body