Arsenal’s need for an attack-minded, creative midfielder has become abundantly clear in recent weeks.
Mikel Arteta has made progress by establishing a clear tactical structure, but the Gunners are desperately lacking an inventive presence to make things happen through the centre of the pitch.
This was evident in the goalless draw against Leeds United on Sunday, and across several matches this term.
Houssem Aouar was targeted over the summer, but no deal was struck with Lyon for the French playmaker. And with the January window on the horizon, the Gunners could return for Aouar.
Other targets have, however, been put forward as potential solutions to Arsenal’s attacking midfield problems. Here is one dream signing and one realistic sighting for the Gunners in January.
Dream signing: Dominik Szoboszlai (Red Bull Salzburg)
Szoboszlai has caught the eye with his impressive performances for Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League group stages this season, with the Hungarian also playing a key role in sending his country to next summer’s European Championships.
The 20-year-old looks like the real deal. He is averaging three key passes per 90 minutes in the Champions League this term (as per WhoScored), as well as 2.3 shots per 90 minutes.
He has found the net twice in just three appearances and was especially impressive in last month’s match against Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for Szoboszlai, and the attacking midfielder has a release clause of £22.5 million written into his contract.
Arsenal, who paid £45 million for Thomas Partey in the summer window, would surely be able to pay this price for one of European football’s most exciting young talents.
However, that status could put him out of Arsenal’s reach. Szoboszlai has been linked with almost every elite club, with Juventus and Real Madrid reportedly interested in making a move once the January transfer window opens.
While there are bigger names Arsenal could target to fill the gap in their midfield, Szoboszlai would be the dream signing because of what his arrival would say about the direction of the club under Arteta.
It would give the Gunners a long-term solution for the position and say a lot about how the best young players want to play for Arteta.
Realistic signing: Yusuf Yazici (Lille)
Arsenal’s interest in Yusuf Yazici is long-standing – they have tracked him since the Arsene Wenger days, when the attacking midfielder was coming through at Trabzonspor.
Now 23 years old, Yazici is at Lille, where he has caught the eye with some of his performances for the French side this season.
He bagged a brace in Lille’s 4-0 win over Lorient on Sunday, also scoring a hat-trick in the club’s statement 3-0 away win over AC Milan in the Europa League. The Turkish international is capable of playing behind the central striker or as a withdrawn forward alongside a more conventional frontman.
Ironically, Mesut Ozil has already given his approval to the player who could replace him in the Arsenal squad.
“Yusuf Yazici is an amazing No 10,” the German said in 2018. “We have a lot of similarities and I myself in him. His left foot, his position, his close passing and calmness on the ball. We will see Yusuf at a big European club in the near future.”
The Europa League has brought the best out of Yazici so far this term. He has averaged 3.7 key passes and four shots per 90 minutes, as well as 2.7 crosses per 90 minutes.
These are the qualities Arsenal are looking for in an attacking midfielder, and he would be an upgrade on what the Gunners currently have.
At 23 years old, Yazici still has plenty time to grow and mature, although his signing wouldn’t be as significant as that of Szoboszlai.
While the Turkish international has impressed for Lille, scoring six goals in three Europa League appearances, he hasn’t been able to nail down a regular starting place for the Ligue 1 side.
