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Opinion
Mikel Arteta must demand Arsenal’s owners to replace one player in the summer after worrying Leicester display
Eventually, Arsenal delivered three very important points against Leicester City away from home in the Premier League, the first match of their new strikerless era.
Fortunately for the Gunners, Mikel Merino was on hand to win the game for Arsenal, a victory that was also owed to Ethan Nwaneri’s unbelievable talent.
At just 17-years-old, Nwaneri was influencing a game like Bukayo Saka at his best, a partnership Arsenal fans will be longing to see.
Although, Arsenal didn’t have it entirely their own way, and Leicester did cause Mikel Arteta’s side one or two issues at the back.
In fact, with the game delicately poised at 0-0, Myles Lewis-Skelly had to save Arsenal after a poor pass from Thomas Partey.
Partey was deployed as Arteta’s number six, and the 31-year-old delivered another polarising display.
Thomas Partey highlighted his weaknesses in Arsenal’s win over Leicester
Partey has often been excellent for Arsenal this season, a player who Arteta still relies upon in the middle.
However, the midfielder’s error and lacklustre long-passing against Leicester on Saturday once again demonstrated why Arsenal need to revamp their options in the middle this summer.
Some will argue that Partey’s performances deserve a new contract, but he’s often also been costly for the Gunners.
In their recent Champions League game, Girona targeted Partey to disrupt Arsenal, plan that worked.
And then, only a week or so later, Newcastle aimed to nullify Partey too with success.
In the middle of those fixtures, Partey was instrumental in Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Manchester City, but those three games perfectly encapsulate why Arteta needs to move on.
Arsenal need a number six who can deliver a seven out of ten performance every game, a Rodri like metronome, whereas Partey is either superb or costly.
Martin Zubimendi is an obvious upgrade for Mikel Arteta
It’s also interesting to note that Arteta has often chosen to replace Partey with Jorginho in the second half of games this season, a substitution he’d surely prefer not to use on his sitting midfielder.
Arsenal looked better once Jorginho was introduced against Leicester, with the Italian playing a crucial role in Merino’s first goal.
Arsenal are confident of signing Martin Zubimendi in the summer, and although he’s yet to play in the Premier League, it appears as a good idea.
Zubimendi is known for his consistency in Spain, and although Partey might have a higher ceiling with his passing in transition in some games, Arsenal would benefit from better consistency.
Of course, one of Partey or Jorginho may need to stay to back up Zubimendi unless Rice is seen as an alternative six.
But in reality, Arsenal might be better off buying Zubimendi in addition to another six, a midfield revamp that has been long needed.