The idea that both Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice could be Arsenal players next season is an exciting one. The pair are arguably the best two deeper central midfielders outside of the title chasers and Casemiro.
Of course, both have the technical ability to influence the box-to-box role too and Rice in particular highlighted this with his goal against Gent in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Meanwhile, Caicedo has been showcasing his versatility covering at right-back for Brighton and against Arsenal shone in the perfect audition – besides ending Gabriel Martinelli’s season of course.
However, there’s perhaps a problem surfacing with what Arsenal might do even if they were to get both of their dream midfield targets. Particularly related to more outgoings than many considered.
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Firstly, Granit Xhaka is expected to leave this summer. football.london understands with the Swiss midfielder set to join Bayer Leverkusen in a £13million deal. Xhaka has been a fulcrum in Mikel Arteta’s side and the reinforcement of two centre-midfielders was needed before suggestions of Xhaka’s potential exit.
However, what has come as a surprise are suggestions Thomas Partey could leave too. According to The Mirror, two Serie A clubs are interested in the Ghanaian midfielder.
Partey struggled towards the end of the season and lost his place in the team to Jorginho who was brought in to provide competition in January and had a meaningful impact. But the former Atletico Madrid man was and still is seen very much as one of the club’s best players and a key part of Arsenal being a side who can compete with the likes of Man City and in the Champions League next season.
I like to use the terminology of reinforcement rather than replacement and that is absolutely what Arsenal must do this season. It feels like even if we’re “upgrading” on Xhaka and Partey with Rice and Caicedo, should one or both be unavailable have Arsenal even moved forwards? I’d argue not.
That’s why we need to reinforce with these players. Xhaka might be off, but adding these key players to the remaining group of Jorginho and Partey is important.
Should the Ghanaian leave, then more than just Rice and Caicedo will be needed and they will need time to adapt with little in the way of a crossover. Man City lost Fernandinho eventually after replacing him with Rodri, but the Brazilian stayed initially to oversee the transition before Kalvin Phillips was then brought in last summer.
If Arsenal are not smart with their recruitment this summer, then everything they’ve built so far could collapse. The Gunners cannot enter the new season thin in any area, period.
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