Arsenal's midfield struggles are nothing new, but they were still apparent as the Gunners lost against Brentford on Friday night.
But Arsenal's technical director, Edu, could be about to try and rectify this, with the Express reporting that the Gunners have entered talks with Borussia Monchengladbach over the potential transfer of Denis Zakaria, who has been linked with north London rivals Tottenham.
The Switzerland international, who enjoyed a fruitful summer at Euro 2020 alongside Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, could prove to be Mikel Arteta's secret weapon in solving the north London side's midfield woes.
Despite already signing 21-year-old Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht this summer for a reported fee of £18 million, the Gunners are continuing their search in pursuit of adding a greater wealth of depth to their options.
Speaking to the Bundesliga website, the Swiss international revealed who his idols are signalling his admiration for north London side.
Zakaria, who has been valued at around £27million, said: "I've been compared to Vieira and Pogba – two more players I really respect and, in a way, see as role models. When I watch videos of them I think I'd like to play that way."
"I love to win back possession and I also like carrying the ball and taking on opposition players," continued the 24-year-old midfielder, as he reeled off the qualities that best qualify him as a player.
"I need to be more efficient, score and assist more goals and improve in the air. I've proved myself to be a quick learner."
Adding Xhaka's international compatriot to the ranks at London Colney could only spell good news for all parties involved.
Zakaria's tenacious personality on the pitch and ability to break up play would add something different to Arteta's midfield dynamic, as the Gunners eye a return to European football next season.
With Mohamed Elneny yet to confidently cement himself into Arteta's long-term future, Willock on the move, Lucas Torreira absent from pre-season preparations; the Arsenal squad is crying out for a strictly defence-minded midfielder who excels in winning possession and triggering counter-attacks.
This role could prove so important to Arteta this season, in addition to the rotation opportunities of course, but primarily because the 'N'Golo Kante-esque' role is becoming an increasing prevalent luxury in Europe's most successful sides.
Zakaria could flourish as a ball-carrier alongside the technical brilliance of Xhaka like the pair have done on the international stage, but also alongside Partey by cooperatively giving one another the freedom to work box-to-box.
Should the Gunners' win the midfielder's signature this summer, the club will almost certainly guarantee a healthy re-sale fee in years to come as well as an effective anchor in the present.
