Holding midfield

While MIkel Arteta is technically able, he doesn’t possess the physicality or drive in the middle of the park – while Mathieu Flamini has the reverse problem. Arsenal need a new defensive midfielder, who can assert himself on matches and win back possession, as well as creating a platform from which the rest of the side can perform.

Manchester City have Fernandinho, Liverpool have Steven Gerrard and Chelsea now have Nemanja Matic. Anyone in this kind of mould be suitable, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Lars Bender is an option.