If there's one area of Arsenal's first-team squad that is set for a major overhaul this summer, it's midfield.
In terms of additions, football.london understands Declan Rice is Mikel Arteta's priority target and whilst a formal bid is expected to be submitted following the West Ham United vs Fiorentina Europa Conference League final, the Gunners accept it will ultimately come down to the player to decide his next move amid interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
The England international is seen as a replacement for Granit Xhaka who, after seven years of service, is expected to bid farewell to the Emirates Stadium this summer and return to Germany as football.london understands he's in advanced talks over a £13million transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.
Another senior midfielder who could leave Arsenal one way or another is Albert Sambi Lokonga. The Belgian spent the second half of the season just finished on loan at Crystal Palace but struggled for game time once Patrick Vieira was sacked at the end of March and subsequently replaced by Roy Hodgson.
Recent reports claim Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, who actually suggested the signing of Lokonga to Arteta a couple of summers ago having talked him up as the 'new Yaya Toure', is eyeing a reunion with the 23-year-old with the Clarets back in the Premier League.
Were the Gunners to grant a move to Turf Moor - whether it be a permanent deal or a loan spell - it would be easy to understand why that decision is made. With the Euros taking place at the end of next season, the midfielder needs to be playing regularly if he's to have any chance of making the Belgium squad.
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However, Jorginho, Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are currently all ahead of Lokonga in the pecking order for the number six role, not to mention he would also fall behind Rice if that deal is completed, therefore it would seem that the Gunners are well stocked in the middle of the park.
But it could be a different story come January as should Ghana and Egypt qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, one would assume that Partey and Elneny would be called up to represent their respective nations.
The competition is set to take place in the Ivory Coast between January 13th and February 11th 2024, and with both nations among the favourites to lift the trophy - if they qualify of course - there is a very high possibility that they could be involved until the latter stages.
This would leave Arsenal with only Jorginho - and potentially Rice - as their senior options in the deep-lying midfield position for a month that could involve a Carabao Cup semi-finals tie, two games in the FA Cup as well as Premier League fixtures.
A similar problem arose for Arteta during the 2021/22 campaign. As Egypt reached the Africa Cup of Nations final it meant Elneny missed four games across all competitions and despite a shock group stage exit for Ghana which allowed Partey to return earlier than expected, the decision to rush him into action straight away ultimately backfired as he was sent off against Liverpool.
In Partey's absence though, Lokonga was trusted to anchor Arsenal's midfield and despite not being a first-choice option at the Emirates at present, he may be required once again next January and this is worth keeping in mind with regard to any transfer decision that is made.
Alternatively, Arsenal can prepare for the possibility of losing Partey and Elneny for up to a month next season by bringing in another central midfielder - in addition to Rice - before deadline day. They continue to be linked with Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, although that would be an expensive deal to complete.
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