We are set to lose the likes of Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky this summer, with all three players’ contracts expiring at the end of the month.
Arsene Wenger looks to have replaced the outgoing Arteta and Flamini with Switzerland international Granit Xhaka arriving from Borussia Monchengladbach for a fee in the region of £30-35 million, depending on what report you believe.
So what about replacing Rosicky? The Czech playmaker who possessed an abundance of creativity and awareness but sadly spent most of his Arsenal career on the treatment table rather than on the football pitch. Despite not cementing a regular role in the side, Tomas was adored by the Emirates faithful and thanked for his 10 years of service on the final day of the season. Simply put, he is an Arsenal legend. End of.
Well according to reports, Arsene Wenger is eyeing up a move for Dortmund playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and is apparently winning the race for his signature over Chelsea.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal reportedly want him, but it’s thought he would favour a move to the Emirates rather than Stamford Bridge.
Mkhitaryan has one-year left on his current deal at Dortmund and recently turned down fresh terms with the German outfit, meaning they may decide to sell him this summer, rather than lose him for nothing this time next year.
However, knowing he is drawing attention from some top Premier League clubs, the Armenian is assessing options available to him.
Now this guy would be the perfect replacement for Rosicky. Why? Because he possesses the same ability, technique and attributes as the experienced Gunner, and Mkhitaryan is in his prime at 27.
Many will argue that the Gunners already have ready-made replacements in their ranks such as Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil. However, Wilshere will more than likely play a deeper midfield role next season, as will Cazorla, while Ozil will need some to take the creativity burden off his shoulders, and Mkhitaryan can certainly do this. In addition, the Dortmund midfielder can also create when in a wider position, a problem the Gunners have encountered in recent years.
We are set to lose three midfielders this summer. Ok, they weren’t regulars, but Wenger knows he will need to replace them to provide depth to his squad next season. Xhaka has come in to replace Arteta and Flamini, so Mkhitaryan should come in to replace Rosicky.
