When Arsenal fans saw Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz all lined up to start against Manchester United, it was probably seen as a dream to see their new midfield trio in action for the first time, but it very quickly turned into something of a nightmare.
The pre-season friendly between the two Premier League rivals was a fierce clash to say the least, with a crunching challenge from Lisandro Martinez on Bukayo Saka setting the tone early on. Coming off the game, perhaps the biggest injury concern was on the other side of the coin after Amad Diallo was seen leaving MetLife Stadium on crutches.
Much of the post-match talk has therefore been arguments about the (unnecessary for some) physical and aggressive display which seemed to overshadow a clear tactical problem that Mikel Arteta might not have foreseen. In principle, the plan looked simple: Rice would mop up loose balls, cut passing lines and win back possession before feeding passes into the advanced duo of Odegaard and Havertz, with Jurrien Timber turning to help in possession.
However, the clear disadvantages came when the Gunners did not have the ball or were caught in transition. Last season, Odegaard was often furthest forward ahead of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, but in this system it was Havertz who led the press in a 4-4-2 layout, although often easily bypassed by United.
Even with all his controversies, the protection Xhaka provided Arsenal was crucial and on first viewing, Havertz doesn’t appear to offer the same level of security just yet. This resulted in Rice being left isolated on several occasions and ultimately unable to prevent fluid Man United attacks or fight possession back with Erik ten Hag’s men controlling the tempo of the game.
Rice is an elite level holding midfielder, but in West Ham’s 2022/23 season he grew and developed to be more of a threat in the final third. His intense pressure on Thomas Partey against Arsenal, which won the Hammers a penalty in the London Stadium encounter, highlighted how useful he can be further forward. What was shown on Saturday night in his first start for Arsenal was that perhaps, in the system Arteta wants to deploy, he would be better in a more advanced role.
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Of course, that would leave Havertz in a difficult position with no clear route back into the team, and it would also leave Arteta and Edu with two important decisions. The first would be the future of Thomas Partey and that may never seem more important than now as he stays with Arteta who seems to agree.
When asked if the Ghana international was part of his plans, the Spaniard replied: “Without a question of doubt. Thomas is a super important player for us and for me. I want him to be part of the team. That’s for sure. “Every time I spoke to him and had a conversation with him, he is ready to stay with us. To me, there’s nothing there at all.”
Nevertheless, Partey’s departure remains a possibility with strong interest from Italy and Saudi Arabia, but even if he stays, Arsenal should at least consider signing another defensive midfielder. In games where the north Londoners are likely to dominate the ball, Rice in the supporting role behind Odegaard, Havertz, Emile Smith Rowe or Leandro Trossard would certainly work; but against other elite level opponents, playing Rice in an advanced role could allow Arsenal to control games more effectively.
But with the Gunners hoping to challenge for every trophy next season with a return to the Champions League also bringing hope to those in north London, acquiring another top-class midfielder should be a firm priority and Edu appear to have been given one last chance to sign Moises Caicedo.
After weeks of talks with Chelsea, minimal progress has been made and now Brighton insist Levi Colwill is part of any deal involving Caicedo that is struck this summer, according to Guardian. However, as soccer.london have reported all summer, the Blues are unwilling to sell Colwill at any price.
Therefore, talks between the two parties will have hit a significant roadblock, and it is one that Arsenal could benefit from. With a swap deal proposed by Brighton involving Colwill, the Gunners could present a full-back and solve two problems at once by including the likes of Kieran Tierney or Folarin Balogun in a deal with the duo expected to leave this summer.
Signing a striker or left-back does not appear to be a priority for Roberto De Zerbi, but Pervis Estupinan missed the Chelsea game so Pascal Gross filled in at full-back. Evan Ferguson and Danny Welbeck sharing the starting spot up front show De Zerbi has no clear favourite, but signing Balogun could change that, especially with European football coming this season at the Amex Stadium.
Of course, Arsenal’s insistence on Caicedo in January may have damaged the relationship that was strong between the two parties, and the Gunners paying another three-figure sum for a midfielder this summer is highly unlikely. But even if Chelsea make no progress in the Caicedo transfer saga, the opportunity is there for Arsenal.
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