Mikel Arteta needs a striker, but he could also do with depth in a number of positions, including out wide, at centre-back and likely in midfield given the possible departures at the position.
Thomas Partey is out of contract this summer, but Arteta has spoken of his willingness to strike a new deal with the midfielder, who has been a very useful utility, both in midfield and at the back.
Arteta has said: "Yes, there is progress with all the players. I'll leave that to [sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and the club to decide and to talk about. The intention is very clear. I'll leave that to Andrea and the club to take a step forward."
Another player out of contract is veteran midfielder Jorginho, who has been useful in the last couple of seasons, but he is now on the fringe of Arteta’s plans, not usually his usual back-up option in midfield. It didn’t look like Arsenal were going to hold talks with the Italy international, who is now 33 years of age, leading to links aplenty surrounding a possible return to Brazil.
But Fabrizio Romano has suggested there were talks, albeit they did not go far enough. Romano wrote on Facebook: “It will be OVER between Arsenal and Jorginho, leaving as FREE AGENT.”
Arteta said of Jorginho earlier this season: "That is his quality. I always mention his biggest quality is his capacity to make others better. Last season was the same. At the start there was less games, we don't play that many midweek matches and he had less minutes. But I told him to be ready because there is going to be a time, and it is not going to be in one week you have to play, you are going to play now or tomorrow. The way he prepares is top so when he needs to play he is ready."
Arteta has also backed the midfielder to become a coach, saying: “When I first saw him at Napoli I knew there was a [future] coach here for sure. He has got that will. He has been doing badges now for some time with the other players and I'm sure he will prepare and he will be very good."
Berta right to hold off on Jorginho
Jorginho, who is currently absent with injury, has served his purpose with Arsenal. He arrived on a cheap deal worth £12million, and since then he has racked up 52 league appearances, proving to be particularly useful last season, while he has also slotted in to cover for injuries and to make the odd appearance this season, still managing a respectable 26 appearances across all competitions.
Arsenal have got their value from the deal to sign Chelsea, without doubt, but he is now 33 years of age, and he falls into the group of players who are no longer good enough if the Gunners want to take that next step up and win the Premier League title. Arteta needs better players coming in when he has injuries, and you can’t achieve that without moving on from existing players, both in terms of squad space and wage bill. This is the right call from Andrea Berta, and while some Arsenal fans will feel a little sad to part ways, all that will be forgiven if they sign someone like Martin Zubimendi and strengthen the midfield depth as required this summer.
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