Arsenal’s astonishing form to this point in the 2021/2022 season has caused Arsenal fans to salivate on the possible transfers that could take us closer to the likes of City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. When going through our current starting XI going into next season, the two glaring improvements we need to make is at the striker position which I have wrote numerous blogs on potential replacements but also on the Thomas Partey partner in the center of the pitch. That role is filled with Granit Xhaka currently with Sambi-Lokanga as the immediate replacement coming off the bench. Granit Xhaka has been fine this season and has brought a stability that comes with someone that has the experience he does however when you play with Xhaka, you must deal with Xhaka tax. The Xhaka tax comes in many shapes and sizes, most of it being with untimely red cards and decisions that have cost us countless points over the years.
With all that being said, Thomas Partey has been exceptional for us as of late and will need an improved partner in midfield to take us closer to where we want to be in the Premier League table. My number 1 target to fill that role and to replace Xhaka would be in the shape of a 5 ft. 9in. 24-year-old Portuguese right-footed CM who plays for Lille ( I am aware he had to come out due to a muscle strain against Saint-Etienne yesterday) (I am also aware that Milan and Maldini have claimed his services after this season but I am going to still write his blog regardless in hopes Edu can work his magic). Renato Sanches is everything I love in a modern day “8”. A player who is dynamic, press-resistant, athletic, but also possesses the ability to combine with teammates while covering every blade of grass on the pitch. I don’t feel like I am asking for much haha. Renato covers all those requirements while still very young which matches up with the young core Arsenal are trying to build. Even though he hasn’t reached his full potential that we all projected after the 2016 Euros with Bayern signing him up before the Euros that year, his performances with Portugal at the past Euros and Lille have brought back all the hype. Let me go into what Arsenal but probably Milan can expect to see from Renato Sanches coming into next season.
PRESS RESISTANT: I went into this same characteristic in the Thomas Partey blog but I am just obsessed with this ability. Being able to dribble or pass out of the press in the midfield areas is such an underrated characteristic that gives teams a massive advantage if able to find players who can do it. Renato Sanches does this for fun, dribbling himself out of pressure, bouncing off of defenders, using his athleticism to get past plffayers is something Arsenal can use from midfield. Martin Ødegaard isn’t as dynamic in those areas and Sambi hasn’t shown that ability in an Arsenal shirt yet. Having a player who can get the offense started from a deep midfield position from someone that is not Thomas Partey will be crucial going into next season as smart teams next season will man mark Thomas Partey out of games when we are in possession.
