Rio Ferdinand has doubts over Arsenal’s midfield after their very fine start to this season.
The Gunners beat Crystal Palace at the start of the campaign and the team has momentum right now.
Everyone on the pitch made a telling contribution to the outcome of the game, and it was the perfect way to begin this season.
The Gunners have made some impressive signings in this summer transfer window, and more could still join.
In midfield, they added Fabio Vieira to the group, but their main men there remain Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
Speaking about that position on the Arsenal team with his fellow pundits, the former Manchester United man said on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel:
“I just worry about your central midfield.
“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?”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Our midfield has been a problem spot, but it has some of the best players in the league.
The issue we have mostly is that of injuries and suspension.
If our key men can stay fit, we will have almost no issue from that position.
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A happy Arteta would have liked a couple more goals against Palace. Wouldn’t we all!
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It’s been an embarassing situation to see Arsenal not fixing the midfield saga. Almost all their clean sheets last campaign were gotten when Partey played. When he was absent, the team became vulnerable and conceded many goals.
How they can spend so much money but ignore a valuable cover in case injury-prone Partey is unfit is a miracle.
The team that played on Sunday cannot stay fit for many games. Presently, there is no midfielder capable of keeping up the same level as Partey in his absence. Sad!!!
And lack of experience……
And lack of depth
I think the cm we are going to sign depends on where Mikel see’s as Lokonga’s position long term. Does Mikel see lokonga as an 8 or a 6?. He has struggled as a 6 and did well during the pre season as an 8. Elneny is also available to deputize for Partey.
Our midfield has struggled for traction since Santi has been missing.
We don’t have a reliable CM that can bring the ball up the pitch or turn defending into attacking in a quick minute.
Tielemans has productive PL experience and great value for the rumored fee. He would fit in and most definitely be an upgrade on Xhaka.
Xhaka would be fine in midfield leading the B team this year, buying some time for Lokogna.
Almost all clean sheets last campaign were made possible with Partey playing. Check that out! All these other guys that tried deputising for Partey only made things worse. And he has already proven that he’s injury-prone. There’s no hope for any top 4 if this problem is not fixed now.
There’s no evidence that the team that played last Friday can hold up the same rhythm for many games. So for now there is little to be excited about.
I think Tielemans is the solution.
Further more, when we bid for Raphinha, there wasn’t any question of Pepe leaving as a pre-condition. It’s so strange what is happening now.
Last Friday, we played for 20 minutes, then Palace took over. Is this a team vying for the higher places?
If Xhaka didn’t have a screw loose then id take him over Tieleman.
We don’t watch other teams as close and even if we do we don’t care who wins most the time.
I’ve a feeling if we signed Tieleman he wouldn’t get in ahead of Xhaka.
But would be great back up.
Strange argument. Tielemans had 10 goal contributions last campaign. The year before, he had 15 in all competitions. How would you play Xaka ahead of such a player?