Central midfield is perhaps the area where Arsenal most need extra strength in depth, with just four regular first-team players currently in the position. Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny have all played the role for Mikel Arteta this season but given the struggles for form and fitness, extra depth will be required as the Gunners re-enter European football for next season.
The club will have been boosted by the news that Elneny is set for contract talks after impressing in Thomas Partey's absence of late, but another name in the mix for this summer's business is Wolves and Portugal's Ruben Neves. The 25-year-old has quietly gone about his work along with a Wolves side which still could finish seventh, above West Ham, and qualify for the Europa Conference League.
The former Porto man can best be described a deep-lying-playmaker, but akin to Xhaka he possesses an extra edge to his game in the form of defensive contributions as well as a keen eye for a tackle. He has racked up nine yellow cards this season, one more than the famously tenacious Swiss.
