Arsenal
Arsenal Transfers: Top 3 Defensive Midfield Targets
So you still miss the days of Patrick Viera in Arsenal’s midfield? Those days when Arsenal not just maintained possession, they dominated the game with their physicality. There is not a single doubt in anyone’s mind that Patrick Viera’s loss to Arsenal was one of their biggest setbacks amidst all of the other players who left the club. Although at that moment, the emergence of Cesc Fabregas plugged the hole created by Viera in the central midfield, but after Fabregas the importance of Viera can really be felt among the team. Perhaps the emergence of Fagregas along with Flamini in the centre of the park made Wenger to forget about the physical side of the game and ever since, there has not been a single player who shows absolute steel until Alex Song came along, and just like that disappeared to the Barcelona bench. However, this summer Arsenal are showing some real intent to strengthen their team and let’s hope Wenger has a defensive midfielder in his mind. Here we list three such players whom Wenger can consider when he scours the transfer market in the search for the next Patrick Viera.
Marouane Fellaini
Supposedly Arsenal have rightly showed interest in the Everton midfielder. We have already seen his impact in the Premier League for Everton and Wenger is aware of the immense difference that he can bring to the team. He is a perfect blend of physicality and technique and can call the shots from the central midfield with aplomb. Although some of the fans have raised their voice against this move, stating Fellaini’s passing accuracy and the knack to play the passing game, his physical presence cannot be over looked. Imagine Fellaini, Mertesacker, Giroud and Koscielny when taking corners and set-pieces and if defending them. Isn’t that what Arsenal want? A towering midfield enforcer with a knack of scoring goals.
However, this move seems more and more unlikely as Arsenal are not ready to meet the £23million release clause in his contract, and if not the likes of Chelsea and United can swoop in and sign the Belgian with ease as the player has already mentioned his desire to leave the club.
Paul Pogba
This man is making all sorts of waves in world football at the moment that the likes of Arsenal and Man City are after the former Man United player. Even Viera feels that Pogba is the next big thing in French football and a lot better than him at the same age. After his transfer to Juventus from Manchester United, he has had quite a tremendous progress this season and now a vital part of the Seria A champions. But whether Juventus will let go of the emerging star is a question though.
However, the 20-year-old has already distanced himself from a move away from the Turin outfit, saying he is happy at Juventus.
“I’m good at Juventus but I want to focus only on the World Cup,” Pogba told French newspaper Le Parisien whilst on international duty with Les Blues. On my future I have no news, so of course I willstay at Juventus.”
Victor Wanyama
He might prove to be the one realistic target for the Gunners and definitely a very decent one. The Celtic midfielder has had such a wonderful season for the club that he is actually attracting offers from a number of top clubs in the world. Arsenal would certainly benefit from the skill and presence of Wanyama in the midfield and his inclusion would go on to make the team much stronger.
P.S: All of these three players are most likely to either sign for other clubs or remain with their current clubs. Am just stating that, these are the three players that Wenger should go after.
Arsenal‘s defensive rock Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off injured during Brazil’s 2-0 friendly victory over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium on November 15, casting doubt over his availability for the crucial North London derby against Tottenham next weekend.
Read More: AI Predicts Upcoming Heated North London Derby Between Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women
The Injury Incident
Gabriel went down clutching his right groin area in the 64th minute after either a stretching midfield tackle on Nicolas Jackson or the subsequent sprint back to goal. The 27-year-old received treatment on the pitch before limping off visibly uncomfortable, with Manchester United midfielder Casemiro signaling to Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti that his teammate couldn’t continue.
Wesley replaced Gabriel as Brazil secured victory through goals from Chelsea’s Estevao and Casemiro, but the result was overshadowed by concern over Arsenal’s defensive leader. The injury occurred during a meaningless friendly with Brazil already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, adding to Arsenal fans’ frustration expressed on social media.
Ancelotti’s Post-Match Assessment
Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed after the match that Gabriel had suffered an adductor problem, though the severity remains unclear. “Bad? I don’t know, he had a problem on his adductor, the medical staff have to check tomorrow,” Ancelotti stated. “We are really sorry for this, really disappointed when players have an injury. I hope they can recover well and soon.”
Medical experts suggest adductor injuries typically fall into three categories. A grade 1 strain involves minor muscle fiber damage requiring one to two weeks recovery. A grade 2 injury means partial muscle tear with three to six weeks needed. A grade 3 represents complete muscle or tendon rupture requiring surgery and two to three months minimum recovery.
Impact on Arsenal’s Crucial Fixtures
Gabriel has been Arsenal’s defensive cornerstone this season, forming Europe’s most dominant center-back partnership with William Saliba. The Gunners have conceded just five goals in 11 Premier League matches while maintaining a four-point lead at the summit. Gabriel has contributed two goals and two assists from set pieces, making his absence doubly damaging.
Arsenal face Tottenham on November 23, Bayern Munich on November 26, and Chelsea on November 30—a brutal sequence that could define their season. Even a grade 1 injury would likely rule Gabriel out of the North London derby, while anything more serious could sideline him for all three fixtures and potentially beyond.
With Riccardo Calafiori already ruled out of Italy’s qualifier against Norway with a hip issue, Mikel Arteta faces defensive crisis management. His likely options are deploying Jurrien Timber or Piero Hincapie alongside Saliba, neither of whom have Gabriel’s aerial dominance or set-piece threat that’s become crucial to Arsenal’s attacking strategy.
Arsenal Dragon
Ailing Katie Reid Receives Words of Consolation From Arsenal Loanee Suffering From Same Injury
Katie Reid’s devastating ACL injury has drawn emotional support from Arsenal loanee Michelle Agyemang, who suffered the identical injury just weeks earlier.
The 19-year-old Brit announced her season-ending injury on Instagram, writing: “Am devastated to share that i have ruptured my ACL. There’s been lots of tears and i am sure there will be many more to come, but i am extremely grateful for the love and support around me.The road to recovery starts now and I’ll give my all to be back stronger.”
Check out Katie Reid’s post below:
Among the flood of supportive comments, Agyemang’s response carried particular weigh. She wrote: “With you all the way, my girl.”
A Shared Journey Through Adversity
Both teenagers are now facing the same brutal reality. Reid ruptured her ACL during training last week, becoming the seventh WSL player this season to suffer the injury. Agyemang, also 19, was stretchered off during England’s friendly against Australia in late October.
The timing couldn’t be crueler for Reid. After forcing her way into Arsenal’s starting lineup ahead of experienced internationals like Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laia Codina, she earned Arsenal’s Player of the Month award for September and received her first senior England call-up. That breakthrough has now been halted for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
Arsenal confirmed Reid will undergo surgery this week and remain under close supervision at their Sobha Realty Training Centre. She joins teammates Agyemang and goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger, who also suffered an ACL injury this season.
Research indicates female players are two to six times more likely than men to suffer these injuries, prompting FIFA-funded studies into potential contributing factors including hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles.
Also read: AI Predicts Upcoming Heated North London Derby Between Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women
Arsenal Dragon
AI Predicts Upcoming Heated North London Derby Between Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women
The Opta supercomputer has delivered its verdict on Sunday’s north London derby at Brisbane Road, giving Arsenal Women a commanding 62.9% chance of victory compared to Tottenham’s 17.4% probability. A draw sits at 19.7%, reflecting Arsenal’s overwhelming dominance in this fixture despite their recent injury crisis.
Arsenal’s Historical Dominance Backs Prediction
Arsenal have lost just once to Tottenham in WSL history, winning nine of 11 meetings while drawing once as well. Their most recent WSL encounter earlier this year, ended 5-0 in favor of Arsenal, a proper one-sided hammering. This statistical superiority underpins the AI’s confidence in Arsenal maintaining their impressive derby record.
Tottenham have hardly kept a clean sheet against Arsenal in their WSL h2h history. This defensive vulnerability against Arsenal specifically suggests the Gunners’ attacking quality consistently overwhelms Spurs’ backline regardless of form or circumstances.
Their potency remains intact despite missing three players to season-ending ACL injuries—Katie Reid, Manuela Zinsberger, and Michelle Agyemang.
Over 3.5 Goals Market Offers Value
Betting markets highlight over 3.5 goals at 2.60 odds as the primary value play. Both sides have demonstrated scoring potential recently, with Tottenham involved in a 4-2 contest at London City Lionesses and Arsenal producing a 3-2 loss against Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s Champions League fixture.
The combination of Tottenham’s unpredictable defensive moments and Arsenal’s confident forward play supports a high-scoring encounter. Arsenal’s 4-1 victory at Leicester Women demonstrated their ability to control matches while creating sustained pressure, suggesting they’ll dominate possession and generate numerous chances.
Correct Score Prediction: Arsenal 3-0
The AI predicts a 3-0 Arsenal victory based on historical patterns and current form trajectories.
Arsenal’s defensive record of just eight goals conceded in league play provides confidence they’ll shut out Tottenham while their attacking firepower, led by Alessia Russo and Beth Mead, should overwhelm Spurs’ fragile backline at Brisbane Road.
Read More: Injury Update From International Camp About Key Defender Brings Relief to Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta
- Liverpool13 years ago
Raheem Sterling Age 17 Kids 3 Women 2
- Arsenal13 years ago
Etienne Capoue To Become An Arsenal Player In Summer
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Defender Nacho Monreal Doesn’t Agree The Direction The Club Is Going.
- Arsenal13 years ago
Robin van Persie wants to move back to Arsenal
- Arsenal13 years ago
Report: Arsenal Could Sign A Striker Next Week
- Headlines13 years ago
Manchester United Preparing A (Javier Hernandez + De Gea + 55 Million) Bid For Ronaldo
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Planning To Bring In ‘Next Fabregas’
- Headlines13 years ago
Three Reasons Why Manchester United Must Sign This “Next Vidic”