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Granit Xhaka's actions while being substituted against Crystal Palace turned a lot of heads at Arsenal with almost every Arsenal fan calling for the Switzerland international to be stripped of the captain's armband. While Xhaka was eventually stripped of the captain's armband and has since apologized for his actions as well, every Arsenal fan knew deep down his playing days at Arsenal were done.
Since that incident, Xhaka has not been in any of the four matchday squads that have followed and he has also removed Arsenal from his Instagram bio and also changed his Instagram display picture to that of him in a Switzerland kit.
This could mean nothing and Xhaka could very well get back into the Arsenal squad once the international break is over. However, over the last few days, there have been a lot of rumours linking him with a move away from Arsenal.
With Xhaka's impending departure looking very likely, Arsenal will be looking to sign a replacement. Here are three players Arsenal should target in January to replace Granit Xhaka:
#1 Abdoulaye Doucoure (Watford)
Despite Watford not having the best of starts to this Premier League season, Abdoulaye Doucoure has been one of their top players for the last few years. The Frenchman was linked with a move away from Watford with clubs like Everton, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur all showing an interest in him in the past but a move never materialized.
At 26, Doucoure will be eager to take the next step in his career and move to a bigger club and over the years he has shown he has the attributes to become a top defensive midfielder.
Apart from being a hardworking defensive midfielder who is excellent at winning back possession and disrupting play, the Frenchman has the ability to drift forward and has an amazing eye for defence-splitting through balls in the final third.
In his time at Watford so far, Doucoure has made a total of 116 appearances with 14 goals and 10 assists to his name and for a defensive midfielder, those are decent numbers. With Warford set to be in a relegation battle this season and with the possibility of relegation highly likely, Doucoure will not want to stay at the club.
With a transfer value of around €25 million, he seems very affordable to Arsenal especially if Xhaka is going to be sold. Doucoure's strength, stamina, his physical presence, and his overall abilities would make him a perfect addition to the Arsenal midfield and if Arsenal do want to sign him they need to make a move for him in January itself or risk losing him to another club.
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#2 Emre Can (Juventus)
A lot was expected from Emre Can when he joined Juventus from Liverpool on a free transfer and while he did have a decent first season, things have not gone his way since Maurizio Sarri took charge of Juventus.
In his first season in Italy, he made a total of 37 appearances and this season he has just managed four appearances, of which three were from the bench and just one start. Things got worse for the German when Sarri decided not to include him in the Champions League squad.
Despite the way he is being treated at Juventus, there is no denying that Can is a top midfielder and we would fit in at any top club in Europe. The German international is one of the most underrated midfielders in the world. His tackling, dribbling, physical presence, ariel presence and through balls makes him an asset at both ends of the pitch.
Ever since Can was not included in the Champions League squad, there have been talks of him leaving the Serie A champions and those talks have intensified now. Clubs like Barcelona, PSG and Manchester United have reportedly shown an interest in him and Arsenal should get in the mix as well.
Having played in the Premier League for four years, Can will need no time to adapt and given his attributes at both ends of the pitch he would fit in perfectly in the heart of Arsenal's midfield who desperately needs someone like him.
#3 Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)
Ivan Rakitic has transformed into one of the best midfielders in the world since moving to Barcelona and over the last five years, the Croatian has played a crucial role in helping the Spanish giants win UEFA Champions League, four La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey on four occasions.
This season, however, Rakitic has not been as involved with the Barcelona first team as he would have liked and out of the ten games he has played for them this season, he has started only one.
There are already rumours that Rakitic could be set to leave Barcelona in the January transfer window with the Croatian expressing his displeasure at not getting enough playing time this season. Rakitic said:
"I understand and respect the decisions of the coach or a club or whatever, but I think I've given a lot in these five years and I've been at my peak here. And what I want is to be able to continue enjoying, that is the most important thing for me. I enjoy playing. I'm 31 years old, I'm not 38, and I feel at my best."
At 31, Rakitic still has a few good years ahead of him and if he is looking to leave Barcelona then Arsenal needs to go after him. Having worked with Emery before at Sevilla, Rakitic might find it easier to adjust to his tactics and there is no denying his presence and wealth of experience would solidify the Arsenal midfield.
Since Santi Cazorla left Arsenal, the Gunners have been crying out for a good passer of the ball and while Dani Ceballos has not fulfilled that role so far, Rakitic could be that player. Arsenal's Head of Football, Raul Sanllehi, who was the Director of Football at Barcelona, could use his connections at the Spanish giants to push the deal through even if it was a loan deal for the rest of the season.
