Mikel Arteta must now make one La Liga midfielder Arsenal’s priority target in the upcoming summer transfer window. 

Arsenal will need to add to their midfield contingent this summer. 

The Gunners have been linked with a number of midfield targets. Arsenal are thought to be eyeing up a move for Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes. Everton ace Amadou Onana has also been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta is aware that reinforcements in that part of the pitch will be necessary, as Jorginho and Thomas Partey are both in the twilight years of their careers. 

Arsenal recently handed Jorginho a new contract. The 32-year-old still has plenty to offer, and his experience and composure are valuable assets within the squad. However, the midfield veteran has now reached a stage where he can’t starts games week in, week out.

Meanwhile, Partey’s recurrent injury issues mean that he simply can’t be relied upon to be fit and available when needed. The Ghanaian is not the player he once was, either, and struggled against Manchester United last time out. Arsenal must now move on from Partey.

It is now vital for the Gunners to find a suitable midfield partner for Declan Rice, who can play regularly, and also complement the former West Ham United man. 

Arsenal urged to swoop for Frenkie de Jong

Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong ought to be the top target to come to North London and take up that midfield vacancy alongside the 25-year-old.

Journalist Charles Watts, as quoted by Caught Offside, is urging the Gunners to step up their interest in the Dutch maestro. He has stated: “Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona…would be absolutely perfect for this Arsenal team.

“You couldn’t really find anyone better suited to come in and help take this team to another level. Mikel Arteta could play him at the base of the midfield, just behind Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, but you could see him rotating with Rice at times.

“It just feels like it would work perfectly and that De Jong would be the ideal long-term replacement for Thomas Partey.”

Why Frenkie de Jong would be the ideal partner for Declan Rice at Arsenal

Watts is not the only one to have recognised the Barcelona man’s quality. Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has previously described de Jong as an “incredible player,” as quoted by ESPN.

It is certainly the case that Rice and de Jong could thrive alongside one another in this Arsenal team. Arteta has been urged to find a player who can help bring the best out of Rice, by matching his versatility and tactical flexibility. 

Rice has played, and impressed, as both a No. 6 and a No. 8 this season. De Jong can also shine in both of those roles, meaning he and Rice can switch and swap during matches and on a game-by-game basis, making the Gunners’ midfield unit altogether more cohesive and unpredictable to play against.