Wednesday News Now- Arsenal have finally found THREE emergency and better options to replace Thomas partey after his recent injury blow as Mikel Arteta wants to move on from the injury prone player- Which of these 3 players would you also prefer
Wednesday News Now- Arsenal have finally found THREE emergency options to replace Thomas partey after his recent injury blow as Mikel Arteta wants to move on from the injury prone player- Which of these 3 players would you also prefer
Arsenal have three emergency transfer options to replace Thomas Partey after injury blow
COMMENT: Arsenal may be forced back into the transfer market as a result of Thomas Partey’s injury.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has reportedly been sidelined for up to six weeks with a muscle injury that boss Mikel Arteta admitted “doesn’t look good” after he was ruled out of the 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
It is another in the list of injuries that the Ghanaian has picked up during his time in north London, which could begin to worry the club’s chiefs as he enters his thirties.
There is a chance that further concerns could tempt Arsenal back into the transfer market in January in order to help ease Partey’s fitness concerns, as Express Sport has looked at three potential targets for sporting director Edu.
Joao Palhinha
Fulham star Joao Palhinha saw his deadline day move to Bayern Munich spectacularly collapse at the finish line after the Bundesliga club could not get a deal over the line, despite agreeing a reported £55million fee with Marco Silva’s outfit.
The Portuguese midfielder has hinted that he will resume talks with the German giants in January, but Arsenal now have the opportunity to gazump Thomas Tuchel and land one of the most highly-rated defensive midfielders in the country, should Arteta and Edu decide that a like-for-like replacement for Partey is necessary.
Conor Gallagher
Conor Gallagher could be an option if the Arsenal chiefs opt against a natural holding midfielder and instead want someone with more versatility, as Chelsea were open to letting the 23-year-old leave late in the window amid interest from Tottenham.
Declan Rice proved more than capable as the deepest midfielder in the win over United on Sunday, while Kai Havertz’s struggles to his left may highlight the need for a midfielder in the mode of Gallagher, who can affect all phases of the game and provide the necessary athleticism in certain situations, though he could cost as much as £50m
Martin Zubimendi
Arsenal’s long-standing interest in Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been well documented, but the Spain international turned down the opportunity to move to north London in order to stay with the LaLiga side.
But after La Real reached the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2014, he was determined to play a part in their European adventure.
However, as Zubimendi and Sociedad have been placed in a group alongside last year’s finalist Inter Milan, Benfica and RB Salzburg, there is the possibility of the club’s Champions League campaign ending before the January transfer window – giving hope that the 24-year-old may leave, with a release clause of £52.5m.
The two clubs may enjoy a strong relationship after Kieran Tierney recently joined Sociedad on loan for the season, opening up the chance of Zubimendi heading in the opposite direction if Arsenal fear the worst with Partey’s continued fitness struggles.