New blood in midfield is as vital to Arsenal as striker search

CALLS for Arsenal to sign a striker are growing louder every day, but the noise should not detract from a need to also strengthen their midfield.

- Simon Collings

Arsenal began to overhaul their engine room last summer, when they spent £170million on Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, but the work is not done.

Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny both have six months remaining on their contracts, while Thomas Partey has 18 months left on his and all three players are in their thirties.

Emile Smith Rowe, another midfield option, is out of favour after more than a year of fitness issues, while Fabio Vieira, who was signed for £34m in 2022, is yet to fully convince.

Whether this month or in the summer, Arsenal's midfield is set to evolve, and the club are looking to the future.

Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz, Everton's Amadou Onana (left) and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi have all been scouted.

The plan is for Rice to have long-term competition at the base of midfield, although the transition can be eased by taking up an option to extend Jorginho's contract for a further 12 months.

Jorginho would be happy to stay, but talks over his future are not expected until later in the season.

The 32-year-old is a popular figure in the dressing room and one of the most tactically astute players in the squad.