Best Midfield Option for Arsenal: Analysing the Targets for 2023-24 Season

Arsenal Reinforcements 2023-24 season, right winger, midfield

Arsenal are looking to make some big investments to revamp their midfield ahead of the 2023-24 season. The Gunners have already signed Declan Rice from West Ham in a deal worth £105m, making him the most expensive Englishman ever bought by a Premier League side.

However, the futures of multiple first-team midfielders are up in the air. The North London side are set to lose Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen. Meanwhile, winter signing Jorginho and Thomas Partey’s futures at the club are also uncertain as per reports.

Declan Rice, Arsenal midfield, 2023-24 season — Image obtained via GOAL

To replace some heavyweights in the dressing room, Sporting Director Edu is looking to make one more midfield signing before the 2023-24 season commences next month (as per Football London). As of now, Martin Odegaard is the only midfielder with a fixed spot in the starting XI.

Therefore, both Declan Rice and any other new midfield acquisition will have to be ready to directly step into the starting lineup. These are the midfield players that Arsenal could sign for the 2023-24 season:

Moises Caicedo

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo has been on Arsenal’s wish list since the winter window. The Ecuador international ultimately stayed with the Seagulls for the latter half of the season. However, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi admitted that the club may not be able to hold onto Caicedo and Alexis McAllister throughout the summer window. The latter has already signed for Liverpool.

Liverpool and Chelsea are also targeting the Ecuadorian midfielder. According to Football Transfers, the Blues are willing to match the 21-year-old’s £200,000-per-week wage demand, while also offering a better fee for his agent. This has given the Gunners a slight disadvantage in the race, but they are still keeping tabs on the player.

Football London reports that Brighton will hold out for a fee of £70-80 million. Caicedo will play the exact same role Thomas Partey currently occupies. The Brighton man is an adept passer, and can accurately circulate possession or launch attacks as required. From a deep role, the 21-year-old midfielder would allow the North Londoners’ frontline to extend higher up the field, without compromising on the defensive solidity.

Romeo Lavia

Romeo Lavia was one of the bright spots in a dismal season for Southampton. The Saints finished at the bottom of the league, but found an absolute gem in the 19-year-old. He mostly started as the deepest midfielder in the team, or in a midfield-two alongside James Ward-Prowse.

The Belgian international could be available on a cut-price due to his team’s relegation to the Championship. Liverpool and Chelsea are already eyeing up a move for the midfielder. Manchester City also have a buy-back option on Lavia until 2024.

According to Daily Express, Southampton may demand just £45 million to part with Romeo Lavia. Furthermore, the player’s agent, Emeka Obasi, also represents Bukayo Saka. This may offer the Morth London side the upper hand in negotiations.

The 19-year-old is a silky midfielder and composed under pressure. He is a fairly safe passer on the ball and does not take too many risks. Defensively, the Belgian works tirelessly and can act as a sitter in front of the backline.

The Saints midfielder presents a much more affordable option for Arsenal with respect to Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice. The Gunners can look to replace Thomas Partey with the 19-year-old, and direct the saved funds on reinforcing other positions.

An interesting option would be to utilise newly-signed Kai Havertz in the exact same role Xhaka has played this season. With Rice playing the pivot role, this would allow Arteta to have two creative midfielders in close proximity to the opposition goal at all times .They would also be able to access the wingers easily to give the Gunners more variety in attack.

Arteta could try to make some more rotations on an experimental basis too. Havertz can play as a centre-forward with Gabriel Jesus on the wing. This might also allow Saka and Odegaard to combine in the midfield.

Who should Arsenal sign to improve their midfield ahead of the 2023-24 season? Let us know in the comments.

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