football.london runs through the Arsenal squad, continuing with the midfielders, discussing who should be kept and who should be sold
Premier League champions Arsenal have plenty of credit in the bank, but no one at the club wants to sit still. Co-chairman Josh Kroenke has already committed to investing this summer, but there is an understanding that for it to take place, some reshuffling might be needed.
That means making some big decisions, which Mikel Arteta confirmed after the UEFA Champions League final would need to be made. There are hoped to be some big additions and midfield is where some are being considered.
With that in mind, after having already discussed the forwards, football.london goes through which midfielders should stay and who should go.
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Martin Odegaard
The Arsenal captain would have been a sure thing two years ago, even before this successful season, but there are suggestions that the Norwegian’s place in the squad is not watertight. While Arteta remains a massive supporter of the club captain, persistent injury issues and the rise of Eberechi Eze and Max Dowman are raising questions about Odegaard.
Thankfully, he has responded both as a captain and with his on-field performances, particularly against West Ham, when he provided the assist for what many described as the most important goal of the season. I would not be letting him leave unless a ridiculous offer came in – he stays, and he remains key. Keep.
Mikel Merino
The Spaniard was heavily missed after suffering a bizarre foot injury that required surgery to fix. He now goes to the World Cup where his involvement remains of intrigue.
His role remains fluid for Arsenal as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder and even a centre-forward. He is a valuable member on and off the field and should be kept. Keep.
Christian Norgaard
I think, despite some good performances, the signing of Christian Norgaard will go down as an error. That’s no slight on the player, but instead those who made the calls to sign him, because due to the critical nature of his position to provide depth to the midfield, he’s barely been used.
Jorginho for example, who he replaced, was used to far greater extents. A summer exit and a far superior replacement are musts during the window. Sell.
Fabio Vieira
A good loan with Hamburg and Arsenal are right to stand firm on getting a good fee close to his £17million option in the agreement that is not set to be activated. Sell.
Ethan Nwaneri
Really tough this but with the players that remain in the group and it being unlikely Noni Madueke will go, it is difficult to see any other pathway to regular football for the youngster than away from the club. I think it will be one the club end up regretting not making work sooner.
I would keep, and find a different solution. But despite that being the label here, I fear the opposite will be true. Keep.
Declan Rice
Erm… need I say anything? Keep.
Martin Zubimendi
A season to get used to the rigours of the Premier League and I believe that the Spaniard was overused and not given the breaks and substitutions needed in the first half of the season. As a result, his form faded and now his place in the side has even come under threat from Myles Lewis-Skelly.
With Rice moving into the six role, regular minutes might not be so forthcoming at the start of next season but that might do Zubimendi a favour. There is brilliance in this player, and hopefully, we see it again soon. Keep.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
A few months ago, writing this piece, Lewis-Skelly would be in a different article, instead, now he is firmly part of the midfield core. That one game against Fulham and then Atletico Madrid not only saved his Arsenal career, but might have changed his life.
It is very exciting to see what Lewis-Skelly can do in the Arsenal midfield moving forward. The talent there is undeniable, and he now finds himself at a standard where he is trusted to start a UEFA Champions League final. Keep.
Eberechi Eze
There is much more to come from Eberechi Eze, and I do hope his penalty miss doesn’t have a detrimental effect on his game. There is planned recruitment in the attack, and Eze, combining with Bukayo Saka and potentially Morgan Rogers, is something I would love to see. Keep.
