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Arsenal interested in shock move for Premier League star

With Arsenal struggling in midfield in the absence of Martin Odegaard recently, the Gunners could be looking at midfield options in the near future.

Odegaard has been out of action since the September international break after picking up an injury in a Nations League game.

The midfielder has missed over a month of football, and Arsenal have not found it easy to create chances in the middle of the pitch.

This season in the Premier League, Bukayo Saka has created the most big chances for Arsenal with 12 The rest of the team combined have just 15 according to SofaScore. The second highest behind Saka is Declan Rice with 3 big chances created.

Arsenal could look to young Premier League midfielder

Brighton and Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League 26/10/2024. Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba 20 during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the American Express Stadium, Brighton and Hove, England on 26 October 2024. Editorial use only DataCo restrictions apply See www.football-dataco.com , Copyright: xIanxStephenx PSI-20690-0067

According to TalkSport, the gunners have been linked to Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. The Cameroon international is having a great season with the Seagulls.

When he arrived in the Premier League last season he found it difficult and only started 15 games under Roberto De Zerbi. This season under new manager Fabian Hurzeler, the 23-year old looks like a whole new player.

Baleba has 2 goals and 2 assists in all competitions this season, and had an impressive performance at Stamford Bridge where he outplayed Chelsea’s midfield.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler spoke about Baleba’s impressive season after his man of the match display against Wolves in September:

“I think he’s a great player, he’s developing and improving fast and he’s adapting to the ideas very quickly. He understands it and as I have always said he has so much potential.

“When we go into detail there’s so many things where you can improve, and our job is to help him and to give him this environment.

It is interesting to add that, Baleba was signed for £23million from Lille as a replacement for Moises Caicedo who joined Chelsea. Caicedo was also a target for Arsenal, but the Blues swooped in early.

Do the Gunners need Baleba?

With Thomas Partey’s contract set to expire this summer, Arsenal will need to start looking at options. Despite Mikel Arteta saying that he wants to keep the Ghanaian at the club, there have been no new updates on the 31-year old’s contract status.

Baleba would be the ideal replacement for Partey if he does end up leaving. The 23-year old offers a similar midfield profile as the Ghanaian, and is suited to playing in a deeper role in build up than Mikel Merino. Liverpool and Spurs are also interested in signing the Brighton midfielder.

Arsenal will reportedly look to the January transfer window after the news regarding Gabriel’s injury against Liverpool.

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