Playmaking is the Biggest Headache for Mikel Arteta

 

Playmaking was one of the areas where the Gunners struggled last season. The club’s main reference point in this position was Mesut Ozil, who had an ugly exit from the club after losing the confidence of Mikel Arteta.

Arteta compensated for Ozil’s departure with Emile Smith Rowe and Dani Ceballos, and Martin Odegaard’s loan spell gave him some breathing space.

gave some oxygen to the creative side.

But for this season the situation has become more complicated. Ceballos and Odegaard have returned to Real Madrid and Smith Rowe’s future is unclear as several clubs are keen on the player’s services.

The Gunners are in desperate need of a quality No.10 and it seems that the club’s main target for the remainder of the transfer window will be to sign such a player.

The Daily Mail reports that Arsenal are in talks with Leicester to sign James Madison. The Gunners would be willing to offer Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles and £50m in cash. For some experts, Arsenal’s offer is excessive, as although Madison is a player of great quality, his price should be between £55m and £60m.

Madison has been of interest to other big clubs such as Manchester City, who held talks with The Foxes last summer to sign the player.

The other option that is of great interest to the Gunners is Lyon’s Houssem Aoaur. Last summer Arsenal tried to bring the player to the Emirates without success.

But this season the situation has changed as Lyon are facing serious financial problems. The French club would be quite interested in selling some of its stars in order to raise funds.

So far Arsenal has been keeping a low profile in the transfer market and must accelerate the pace to strengthen the club.