Arsenal are suffering a midfield crisis at the moment, and with Mo Elneny definitely out for the long term and Thomas Partey having trouble playing a string of matches in a row, it looks unlikely that things will improve much in the near or far future.
Youri Tielemans and Douglas Luiz are both in the final year of their contracts, but their respective clubs both decided it was better to keep them for the extra season than let them go at a reduced price, but maybe circumstances will change by the time the next transfer window comes along and the clubs may decide a small compensation may be better than nothing.
It may also be Arsenal’s best time to do a deal, as the ex-Gunner Kevin Campbell explained in The Highbury Squad: “We might see a pre-contract with Tielemans,” said Campbell. “If we want him, if ever Leicester are going to do the business, then it’s going to be January. That’s the only chance they have got.
“You’re not going to be now (convinced by Tielemans) because it’s all falling apart at Leicester. He’s a top player, who is in a bad situation. That’s the bottom line.
“Could he help us? 100%. With the players he is playing with, I think he goes back to that level. If he was playing out of his skin every week, then somebody else would have probably signed him.”
But going by our deadline day attempt to sign Douglas Luiz, he would appear to be Arteta’s choice between the two, and according to recent reports, he is still keen to join Arteta’s Brazilian contingent, and if Arsenal are still struggling for midfielders, Arteta may make a more concerted bid to buy Luiz in the next window.
Do you think Arteta should choose Tielemans or Luiz?
Darren N
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I am a fan and expert, but IMO Douglas is the closest match with Partey. It is still confusing to me that we did not get a top DM to compete with Partey knowing Partey’s absence cost us a top 4 last season and knowing Partey would miss many games this season. A top DM should have been our number 2 priority after a striker.
I would go fro Douglas between Tielemans and Douglas.
@John63
Partey is not a DM. We need a proper DM. He was not the reason we missed out on the top 4 spot. Arteta’s bad team management was the cause of that…IJS
What Arsenal match were you watching @Ny_Gunner, Partey’s absence was a major reason for us missing the top 4,
Did you watch our last 2 matches, especially against man United, did you see the way Eriksen kept slotting passes through the midfield,
I heard the reason we didn’t go in for tielemans was due to wage demands, he wants superstar wages. Luiz agreed terms with Arsenal so suspect his wages were more sensible. Luiz is the better option.
Prefer we go for a “true DM” meaning a player who’s skillset fits the position, rather than settle for a player to slot in.
Arteta has spoken about right players before, so I hope we bring in a DM, not get Luiz and play him in the position. We are closer to placing in the top of the table than ever, so let’s not settle for a key position.
It’s amazing how fans are addicted to transfers!!!
Four months to January and a World Cup in the middle, but transfers are still a hot topic; at least for pundits and writers who still want to make a dime talking bull to dreamers.
Well Durand, I totally agree with you!!!
But neither Douglas Luiz, nor Tielemans should be on the shopping list, at least in my opinion.
In fact, the way the fixtures are piling up, we might need to get two DM’s in January!!!
I must say I do like Lokonga, but I still think he needs a years loan spell with a club where he can play full time.
So, please get at least one “Top Class” DM EDU. We do NOT want a repeat of last seasons capitulation at the end of the season.
Douglass Luiz for sure and I tell you why.
He is a genuine defensive midfielder.
His skills set is unique to our present team.
He’s not the top top in my opinion, but he brings set pieces to add a little balance to his game
Very aggressive and can do a decent job in front of the back four.
Honestly I would have been a little less nervous if he was on the pitch for us at Old Trafford.
Why can’t arsenal go for Ndidi of Leicester city. We all have seen his contributions there and we saw how badly they played in his(Ndidi) absent