Arsenal have enjoyed their best-ever start to a Premier League season having won nine of their opening 10 games and boasting a four-point advantage at the top of the table.
Despite this, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand's "worry" for the Gunners could still come to fruition as they look to continue their stellar start to the campaign with a win away at Southampton on Sunday. The former Old Trafford star was speaking earlier this season when he confessed he feels Arsenal's central midfield could be a problem area.
Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey have been near faultless so far this term, but Ferdinand's comments still ring true weeks later. "I just worry about your [Arsenal's] central midfield," he told his Vibe with Five YouTube channel.
"Xhaka hasn't shown that he can be relied upon for long periods consistently. Partey, is he going to be fit? Is he going to be there in that sense?" Partey has encountered some minor fitness issues already this season and Arsenal paid the price as a result.
The only defeat the Gunners have suffered so far this term came in the form of a 3-1 loss at Old Trafford when United exploited the Partey-shaped hole in Arsenal's midfield while the Ghanian was ruled out nursing an injury.
In his place was Albert Sambi Lokonga, who has shown promise at times during his Arsenal career but is yet to prove he can operate to the standard Partey so often has in a Gunners shirt in recent months.
Xhaka's fine form has taken many by surprise this season, with the Switzerland international arguably being Arsenal's standout performer in a team that has plenty of players vying for that title so far this term.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Ferdinand's assessment of Arsenal's potential midfield frailty fair? Comment below
For so long he was a much-maligned character as a result of his disciplinary issues and infamous foul-mouthed outburst at fans, but Xhaka has turned the tide on his Emirates fortunes to become one of the more beloved members of the team.
For the first time since his move to north London in the summer of 2016, Xhaka's name is finally being sung by the Arsenal faithful. If he can continue this kind of from, he'll have gone some way to silencing doubters like Ferdinand.
However, with the games coming thick and fast for the Gunners from now until the pause in league action for the World Cup - Ferdinand's assessment could still come to life and become a huge headache for Mikel Arteta as he tries to juggle domestic and European action.
The ex-England international and United star is one of many who still clearly feel Arsenal are one Partey-injury away from disaster.
