Arsenal fans can barely contain their excitement for next season after the club's early moves in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have already confirmed the arrivals of Brazilian wonderkid Marquinhos and Porto playmaker Fabio Vieira, while Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus is on the verge of becoming the club's third addition after Arsenal agreed to part ways with £45million to land Mikel Arteta's No.1 striker target.
Next up on the list of targets is Leeds United talisman Raphinha, with negotiations ongoing between the two clubs. Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez has already been the subject of a £30m bid from Arsenal, which was swiftly rejected by the Dutch giants who are holding out for a figure of £42m, after talks between the parties last week.
Seemingly some way down on the club's transfer wish-list is Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans. The technically gifted Belgium international has just one year left to run on his current deal at the King Power and the Foxes are thought to be resigned to the fact the midfielder has no plan to pen an extension and is keen to depart this summer.
For some time, he has been linked with a move to the Emirates and - available for a cut-price fee - the Gunners are rumoured to have held talks with his representatives. But while there may well be some form of admiration for the Belgian, Leicester are yet to field any formal offers for their most prized asset. So while Arsenal may well be admirers of Tielemans, they view the aforementioned trio of players as more pressing concerns.
As a result, they run the risk of missing out on a player who could be exactly what they need. His contractual situation is common knowledge and Manchester United among other clubs said to be monitoring his situation.
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The Gunners may feel as if their attentions are currently better served elsewhere, but not moving for Tielemans could prove damaging to their midfield given they are devoid of a player that truly calls the box-to-box, No.8 role home.
Granit Xhaka was forced to operate their at times last season and while the Switzerland international did a decent enough job, he is far more suited to a more restricted role. His partner Thomas Partey can hardly be relied upon to stay fit, missing 14 league games in each of the last two seasons for the Gunners.
The Ghanaian's deputy, Albert Sambi Lokonga has shown clear signs of talent but struggled at times with the pace of the Premier League during his first campaign at the club. Then there are Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe and new boy Vieira, all of whom prefer operating further forwards, playing on the half turn in the No.10 position, rather than with the game in front of them.
Arteta and Arsenal are making moves as they look to push for the Champions League next season. But while they're no doubt bumping up the squad's quality, one position in particular still looks short, despite an obvious solution being in full view.
