Brian McBride urges Arsenal to find a midfield replacement for Granit Xhaka

ESPN Pundit Brian McBride believes Arsenal should consider recruiting another defensive midfielder during the summer transfer window. The Gunners have utilised the services of Granit Xhaka in the position without much success of late and the former Fulham star feels the club should add more competition within the ranks. Speaking on ESPN, he said: “They need a defensive midfielder. Xhaka I don’t think is enough of a disrupter. Sure, he fouls a lot, but it’s because he gets out of position.So I’m anxious to see who they purchase.”

Meanwhile, McBride feels Unai Emery will bring a different managerial style at Arsenal in comparison to how he worked with his former clubs, he added: “They’re getting a meticulous manager. They’re getting somebody who looks at an opponent and then tries to ensure his team are set up to, not only defend that opponent, but eventually beat that opponent.”
Arsenal endured an average season last term as they finished sixth in the standings with 63 points and the board are likely to make efforts in order to revive the club’s prospects of making the top four. The holding midfield and central defensive positions were of primary concern during the previous campaign and it will be interesting to see as to which kind of budget Emery will be offered for the summer.

According to reports, Emery is understood to be eyeing at least two midfielders to reinforce the squad but the reported £50m budget may not be sufficient to pursue more than one player, considering the Gunners are looking to bolster other positions. Meanwhile, there has also been the talk of probable exits from the Emirates Stadium with Shkodran Mustafi, David Ospina, and Jack Wilshere facing uncertain futures beyond the summer. Arsenal are expected to return to pre-season in July with a friendly against Atletico Madrid.