Non-existent backup! How will Arteta cope with Arsenal’s main line-up problem?

Representational duties, health problems and a narrow squad are currently plaguing Arsenal’s back-up ranks. This is the most vulnerable part of the Gunners line-up, Mikel Arteta must act urgently to prevent a well played season from taking a downward trend.

Thomas Partey is fulfilling his national team duties at the African Cup of Nations, as is Mohamed Elneny (but he is not one of the cornerstones of the midfield). Granit Xhaka missed the game against Nottingham Forest due to health reasons.

Of the central midfielders, the Spanish strategist was left with only Sambi Lokonga, but he played deeply below average, like most of his teammates.

Emil Smith-Rowe, who would surely have made the cup game, was also troubled by health indisposition. So Arteta doesn’t have much of a choice and unless reinforcements for the centre of midfield come in January, the Champions League will become more distant by the week.

With Partey absent for a month and Xhaka returning quickly to the line-up, Arteta can assemble the midfield as follows:: the retractable midfielder will be played by the Swiss, Odegaard will be withdrawn as a midfielder and Smith-Rowe will play the creative, attacking midfielder.

Even so, Lokonga will remain the last free midfielder and will have more of a holding role when he arrives on the pitch. Ainsley Maitland-Niles has gone on loan to AS Roma, so Arteta must (willy-nilly) look for other midfielders.

Arsenal fans will be delighted with Arteta’s interest in Aaron Ramsey, whom he knows from his active Arsenal career. Even more interesting would be the engagement of Jack Wilshere, who is currently without a contract, but Arteta ruled out the Englishman a week ago. But that was a week ago…

A transfer of Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon or Renato Sanches from Lille would be a bit more expensive. If Arteta does not bring any midfielder to the Emirates Stadium in the January transfer window, it will be very difficult to defend the fourth place, which ensures participation in the Champions League.

source: Transfermarkt, Sky Sports