5 Attacking Midfielders Arsenal should Target This Summer

Arsenal have struggled for creativity ever since Mesut Ozil was axed from the first team. While things did get really bad for a while, they did get better after Emile Smith Rowe was integrated into the first team. Smith Rowe's introduction was a ray of hope in what ultimately was a disastrous season for Arsenal.

At the start of last season, everyone at Arsenal knew they needed a new creative player, and the Arsenal higher-ups decided to bring in Willian. The Brazilian did prove himself at Chelsea, but investing so much money on a 33-year-old was a huge mistake. His first season at Arsenal ended horribly, having scored just once and assisting seven goals.

After that failed experiment, the Gunners are now trying to sell the Brazilian, with Mikel Arteta now prioritizing the signing of a new attacking midfielder. Smith Rowe will prove to be a crucial player for Arsenal for years to come, but they still need another creative player if they are to get back to the top.

Here is a look at five creative midfielders Arsenal should target this summer:

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#.1 James Maddison

James Maddison has been constantly linked with a move to Arsenal this summer.

James Maddison is exactly the type of signing the arsenal fans want and the kind of signing Arsenal need, but it's a signing that seems unlikely to happen. The Leicester City player has been constantly linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, but his £60 million valuation might prove to be a problem.

Despite that valuation, I would not completely rule out Maddison moving to Arsenal just yet. Arsenal have started spending big money on players in the last few years, and with a reported budget of £250 million this summer, they could go all out to revamp their squad.

Adding a player of Maddison's caliber would be immense for Arsenal, especially because Areta's team have struggled for goals from midfield. With Maddison being a direct and incisive player and a set-piece expert, he would add the exact qualities Arsenal are lacking.

This transfer will likely drag on until the final day of the transfer window, and with three years remaining on his contract, Leicester City hold the upper hand. However, if reports are to be believed, Maddison fancies a move to Arsenal so, if the two teams can agree on a fee, this transfer could happen.

Another option is Arsenal possibly adding one of their fringe players to the deal, like winger Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock or even Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who Leicester looked at last January.

#2. Houssem Aouar

Houssem Aouar has once again been linked with a move to Arsenal.

Houssem Aouar was linked with a move to Arsenal last summer and it looked like the deal would happen right at the end of the window. However, Arsenal was too stingy with how much they wanted to pay, and Lyon was not budging from their £ 45 million valuation.

A lot has changed this season, however, with one of them being Lyon failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Reports say that Lyon's financial deficit stretches to an estimated €185 million and will be forced to sell several high earning players if they are to balance the books.

Along with the fact that Aouar is in the final year of his contract, Arsenal will have the upper hand during negotiations with reports saying the Frenchman could be available for just €25 million.

This transfer could very well drag out until the final weeks of the transfer window, as Arsenal will feel they can afford to run down the clock a bit and submit an even lower bid.

#3. Nabil Fekir

Nabil Fekir has been linked with a move to Arsenal once again.

Nabil Fekir has been linked with a move to Arsenal several times in the past, but the former Lyon player ended up moving to Real Betis at the start of 2019. While he has had two decent years with Real Betis having scored 12 and assisted 13 goals, but overall his career has not progressed the way it was supposed to.

Big things were expected from Fekir, especially when he was at Lyon, but his transfer to Real Betis was not something anyone expected. The Frenchman is 28 now, and spending almost €25 million on his now makes no sense. Arsenal will probably just get two good years out of him and then they will have to look for a replacement.

However, that does not take away the fact that Fekir is a top player and would improve the current Arsenal team. Now it's obvious that he is not Arsenal's first-choice number 10, but if they miss out on their other targets, he could be a suitable contingency plan.

#4. Lorenzo Pellegrini

Lorenzo Pellegrini joining Arsenal is a long shot, but he could be worth the money.

Lorenzo Pellegrini joining Arsenal is a bit of a long shot considering there has not been a lot of talk of linking the Italian with a move to the Emirates Stadium. However, he is someone Arsenal should be looking at with the Italian constantly getting better and better.

Pellegrini was a product of Roma's youth set-up and managed to break into the first team in 2017 after Roma bought him back after selling him to Sassuolo in 2015. Since then, he has only gotten better and better, bagging 10 goals and 27 assists in 115 appearances and has established himself as one of the mainstays of the club's midfield.

The Italian can play anywhere in the center of the park, and his versatility would surely add a significant boost to Arteta's long-term plans moving forward.

Pellegrini has just one year left on his contract and with no talk of a renewal, Arsenal could get him on the cheap. But they need to step up their interest as several clubs, including Tottenham, are interested in him.

#5. Marcel Sabitzer

Marcel Sabitzer is the latest player to be linked with a move to Arsenal.

Marcel Sabitzer was linked with a move to Arsenal during the Euro 2020, and while rumors have continued to circulate, they have died down significantly. The Austrian has been a central figure for RB Leipzig for the last six years, scoring 32 goals and assisting 27 in 143 appearances.

Sabitzer is also entering the final year of his contract, and with no talks of him signing a new one, Leipzig could be forced to sell him for just £15 million this summer. He is so versatile that he can literally play in any position in the midfield.

Sabitzer’s range of passing is excellent with either foot and, so are the qualities of the pass with, his number reading 7.10 progressive passes per 90 (96th percentile) and 1.93 passes into the penalty area (97th percentile).

Having just turned 27, Arsenal would prefer signing a younger player but let us not forget Sabitzer is in the prime of his career. His experience and leadership could be crucial in helping Arsenal get back to the top.