Mikel Arteta gets huge Arsenal transfer boost for £52m Thomas Partey upgrade

Mikel Arteta is expected to sign a Thomas Partey replacement in this summer's transfer window. The Ghana international has endured an injury-riddled campaign with his appearance against Manchester City this past Sunday just his eighth of the season.

With numerous setbacks being suffered by Partey over the last few months, Arteta has had to carefully bring him back into action. The form of Jorginho in games where the Gunners crave control has helped significantly with Kai Havertz being deployed further forward in the absence of Gabriel Jesus to his own injury issues.

However, the Brazil international was back in the starting XI for the first time in two months for the huge title clash against his former club. The Gunners headed into the weekend top of the Premier League table, but the draw against Man City and win for Liverpool over Brighton has seen the latter return to the summit.

Nine games now remain in the 2023/24 season with just three points separating the title rivals and the next set of fixtures are right around the corner. On Wednesday, Arsenal take on Luton with Man City also facing Aston Villa that evening, Liverpool then close out the mid-week action with a clash against Sheffield United on Thursday.

While the focus will undoubtedly be on what happens on the pitch over the next two months, Arsenal will have certainly began thinking about and potentially finalising their summer transfer plans. With Partey likely to leave, Arteta and Edu welcoming another midfielder is a major possibility and Martin Zubimendi has already emerged as one target.

The Real Sociedad midfielder has been the recipient of interest from north London over the last two trading periods. A release clause worth £52.5million is said to be in his