Arsenal are set for a shakeup in midfield, as Mikel Arteta targets a title push
(Image credit: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Arsenal could be set to replace one of the biggest names in their squad, with one of their more experienced midfielders asking for a transfer.
Mikel Arteta's team bounced back to winning ways against Sevilla in the Champions League this week but are light in the centre of the park at current. Club captain Martin Odegaard is absent with a hip injury, Emile Smith Rowe has a knee problem and Thomas Partey is set to miss the rest of the year.
But that depth could be reduced even further come January.
According to The Sun, Partey has told the Gunners that he wants to leave come January.
The Ghanaian is also set to miss a portion of the season with the Africa Cup of Nations coming up – but might have been moved on before then, with Arsenal already decided on a replacement.
Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad is wanted by Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)
Partey's injury is said to have prompted Arteta to shift his focus away from a more attacking signing this January, with Ivan Toney still high on his wishlist.
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Martin Zubimendi is valued by Transfermarkt to be worth €40 million – but reportedly has a €52.m release clause.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
