Player:Martinelli
Do you mind posting the full article actually?
Arsenal enter the transfer window looking to strengthen the spine of their team. Their primary focus is on improving the centre of their midfield, but they’re also keen to upgrade at centre-back.
However, they do not simply want a central midfielder. The Athletic has learned that in the weeks and months leading up to the window, Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu concluded that Arsenal needed improved options at No 6, No 8 and No 10 — defensive midfield, box-to-box midfielder and the role behind the striker.
That does not necessarily mean Arsenal will sign three new midfielders. Arteta is keen on multi-functional players who can fulfil several roles in the team, sometimes in the same match. Bukayo Saka is an example of combining flair with functionality, able to execute detailed tactical instructions in a number of different positions.
Arteta would like the capacity to play with a midfield three — the modern formation adopted by dominant sides such as Liverpool and Manchester City — more frequently. Dani Ceballos showed in the second half of last season that he could be a good fit for such a system, operating either as the deepest midfielder or in a more advanced box-to-box role. Arteta would like him to remain in north London next season, and talks have begun over an extension to his loan from Real Madrid.
Were Arsenal’s financial situation different, they would probably look to buy Ceballos. Another positive season in the Premier League on loan will only raise his eventual price tag. However, with funds understandably tight in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, a loan is the favoured option — especially with another major midfield purchase on the agenda.
Thomas Partey’s name is at the top of the list. When Arsenal made significant cutbacks to their scouting department, including redundancies for senior scouts Francis Cagigao, Peter Clark and Brian McDermott, they made clear their list of targets was already drawn up. Although there has been a trend towards a more contacts-based approach to recruitment under Raul Sanllehi and Edu, Partey is a long-standing recommendation from the scouting department.
Cagigao watched him play on loan for Mallorca and Almeria as a youngster before tracking his development at parent club Atletico Madrid in recent years. The scouting process intensified during the 2018-19 season, with Arsenal particularly impressed by his defensive and tactical ability. Having learned his trade under Diego Simeone, perhaps that shouldn’t come as any surprise. Unai Emery was keen for Arsenal to pursue a deal last summer, but resources were allocated elsewhere. Talks are ongoing as Arsenal seek to find a way to fund a deal.
Partey has a buyout clause of €50 million (roughly £45 million). In a pre-pandemic environment, Arsenal would have considered triggering that. In the new financial landscape, the club will look for a more favourable solution — the buyout clause will be regarded as a last resort.
One of the factors against Partey is his age. He turned 27 in June, so is potentially already at the peak of his transfer value. Arsenal will draw encouragement in their pursuit from the fact fellow central midfielder Fernandinho was 28 when he arrived at Manchester City from Shakhtar Donetsk, yet has still made an enormous contribution over the seven years since. Arteta might also point out he himself was even older than that when he joined the club from Everton in 2011.
Arsenal do have other options. Departing UK scout Clark was keen on Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, but the club did not heed that recommendation and the player is now set to join Tottenham Hotspur.
Much may depend on who Arsenal are able to sell to generate funds. Matteo Guendouzi is all but certain to leave, and the club will hope to reinvest any fee received for the Frenchman in the first-team squad. Nevertheless, they will open to creative solutions in the transfer market.
Arsenal still intend to sign Willian on a free transfer after his Chelsea contract expires. Arteta is an admirer, and even with handing the 32-year-old a three-year contract, his signing is seen as a relatively cost-effective way to add a proven Premier Leagu player. Arsenal’s relationship with Wilian’s representative, Kia Joorabchian, has led to speculation that the club may also pursue a deal for former Liverpool midfielder Coutinho. However, despite the now Barcelona player’s desire to return to English football, The Athletic understands a deal for him is not currently on Arsenal’s agenda.
Willian would immediately give Arteta an experienced option in a variety of roles. While most of Willian’s football at Chelsea was played on the flank, his preference is to operate in a central role behind the striker. Arsenal were sorely lacking in creative midfield players last season, especially with Mesut Özil excluded from the first team. The signing of Willian is intended to help make up that deficit. As for Özil, initial talks between his representatives and the club have yet to arrive at any potential resolution.
Arsenal also want to bring in a new centre-half, but are keen to offload at least one of their current group at the position before doing so. William Saliba and Pablo Mari will be in the squad next season, so there is currently a surplus of central defenders. Injuries suffered by Shkodran Mustafi and Calum Chambers might make it impossible to move them on in this window, but the club remain open to offers for Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Rob Holding.
The scouting department’s number one recommendation ahead of the window was RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano. However, the news that he has signed a contract extension until 2023 most likely prices him out of a move to the Emirates Stadium.
The next name on the list is Gabriel Magalhaes of French club Lille. The Athletic first reported on Arsenal’s interest in the Brazilian in December. At that time, Arteta wanted a left-sided central defender, but the club ultimately opted for Mari. Everton have a long-standing interest in the 22-year-old too, but have thus far been unable to agree a fee, potentially opening the door for Arsenal. It seems Arteta recognises that if we wants to play with a back four, he will require two centre-halves with both size and athleticism.
There is one other area which the club may be looking to reinforce.
Although Arsenal remain optimistic of tying Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang down to a new deal, an attractive offer for Alexandre Lacazette could tempt them into a sale. With Gabriel Martinelli sidelined until next year as he recovers from a severe knee injury, that could necessitate the purchase of another attacker.
Tifo’s suggested No 10: Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma)
Arsenal need to be able to unlock defences better. Too much reliance is currently placed on Alexandre Lacazette dropping off to link play, while the connection between the defence and midfield, and the attacking line, is patchy at best.
Tifo’s pick to do this is Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini. He has been linked with Arsenal before, and with good reason. Playing largely in the hole in Roma’s preferred 4-2-3-1, he made 2.9 key passes per 90 minutes last season – ninth among Serie A players with over 10 appearances – as well as 4.3 passes into the final third and 2.5 into the penalty area. He managed nine assists and one goal, massively underperforming his xG of four. He carries the ball well, presses ably, and is a useful set-piece taker too. Pellegrini roams, even dropping deep to collect the ball, linking play in a way that would allow Arsenal’s attackers to stay higher up the pitch.
While Roma remain committed to offering Pellegrini a new deal, his existing contract contains a €30 million (£27.1 million) buyout clause, payable in two instalments. He’s exactly the kind of player who would dramatically improve Arsenal’s ball progression and creativity; in short, he’s just what they most need and is available at a price they can afford.
