Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed that the club is interested in a central midfielder after both Thomas Partey and Mohammed El Nhenny suffered injuries. Sambi Lokonga played in midfield during the 2-1 win over Aston Villa. Ironically, Luiz scored directly from a corner against the Gunners. Arsenal has been in superb form this season, winning their first five games of their Premier League season.
“We are looking at options. Obviously [Elneny’s injury] has an impact because Thomas Partey is injured and we are a bit short in that position. We do have Albert Sambi Lokonga and Granit Xhaka who can play there,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said. “We are just looking at options in the market. As I said, the club has been super supportive to try to keep improving the squad and the team as we can, and if the right player is available and we can do it, we will try.”
“We were pretty protected in [central midfield] and now we are more exposed, but we have to be prepared for uncertainties, injuries, and suspensions,” he added. “Things like that can happen, especially this season it’s going to be really strange with the World Cup. So, we try to prevent things but sometimes it is not easy. I’m not a financial guy. I think that’s a question for someone else.”
“I’m not in control of that. There are more than two people in control of that but I’m certainly not one of them,” Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard said. “That will be Douglas, that will be his agent’s decision as to what happens around that. I’d like to keep him because he’s a fantastic player. I’ve made that abundantly clear. We are not in a position where we need to lose our top players, but at the same time, Douglas has got a year to go, and it is one of those really touchy situations.”
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