Bruno Guimaraes signs, Zubimendi instruction - Arsenal transfer verdict after Jorginho renewal

Jorginho has today signed a new short-term deal with Arsenal, which has answered one of a few summer transfer questions at The Emirates Stadium.

Regardless of how the season ends, the upcoming window is due to be an important one for Mikel Arteta, who will be under pressure to end Arsenal’s title drought next term with a stronger squad at his disposal.

A number of areas will surely be targeted over the summer, including in attack and perhaps in defence at left-back. Midfield is also expected to be reinforced despite Jorginho’s new deal.

Arsenal would be required to cut their cloth accordingly if all areas are to be catered for against the backdrop of Premier League spending limits, but player sales will help. A number of academy products are expected to leave, such as Emile Smith Rowe.

Should others be moved on too, particularly when it comes to the midfield? Should Thomas Partey be axed? Where does Jorginho fit into the long-term vision? Who should be brought in? Our writers have their say below.

Kaya Kaynak – Arsenal writer

I think with Jorginho staying, there are questions to be asked over Thomas Partey’s future. Can the Ghanaian co-exist with Declan Rice and Jorginho. He has not been offered a new contract and with just one year left on his deal I wonder what this will mean for his future.

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That in turn could have a huge impact on what Arsenal do in the transfer window. They have been looking at the future in the defensive midfield position, and by giving Jorginho a short-term deal they have proved they don’t think he’s it.

We know they like Martin Zubimendi, but the Spaniard looks likely to go where Xabi Alonso is, and maybe that’s a deal they won’t be able to get done this summer.

You also wonder what this means for the younger players in the Arsenal squad. Myles Lewis-Skelly needs to be sent out on loan next season in my opinion, because there’s no chance of him playing as things stand.

He could be a great asset to Arsenal in the future, but if he’s not given chances he could end up in the same bracket as Lino Sousa and Omari Hutchinson in leaving Arsenal on the cheap.

Crucially though, it’s a good piece of business for Arsenal right now. Jorginho is a popular and influential member of the squad. Replacing him would be very difficult. It may not be forever, but it’s good to see this love affair continuing.

Joe Doyle – Content Editor

Mikel Arteta and Edu seem to know what they want in midfield, I think it's just a case of what is attainable in the summer. There are a couple of big questions facing them, but Jorginho's new deal has certainly answered one of them.

The biggest consideration is over the future of Thomas Partey. He's been good since returning from injury, but at 30-years-old and on a big contract, he needs to be available more than he has been this season.

If the rumours about interest from Saudi Arabia are true, a big-money offer may force Arsenal's hand - how often are you going to get near your money back on a midfielder over the age of 30 who's just had a season beset with injury problems?

If he does leave, Martin Zubimendi has been strongly linked for some time, and would certainly come into north London on a lower wage than Partey - if they can cover his arrival with a fee brought in for Partey, that might suit everyone.

Hush Kerai – Central Audience Editor

Now that Jorginho’s future is decided, Arsenal need to have a real conversation about Thomas Partey. If there is any doubt over his long-term fitness during the early part of pre-season then Arsenal need to pull the plug and make an effort to offload him, mainly due to his squad-leading reported wages.

Martin Zubimendi has often been touted as a long-term replacement for Jorginho, so I think that deal can actually be put on ice, as long as there is confidence that he isn’t going to be snapped up by a rival club.

The focus then becomes on how do Arsenal work after Partey's exit? Initially, Declan Rice’s ability to play as a No. 6 will help cover that role. Recent rumours have linked the club with a renewal of interest in Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes, who could be the permanent fixture in the position and has shown over two seasons he has more than enough about him to be a success at the Emirates.

While that looks like an unlikely deal at this point, it’s definitely the type of transfer to get Arsenal one step closer to the level of squad Manchester City can boast.

Isaac Johnson – Central Audience Writer

A new deal for Jorginho is good business for both parties but the midfielder is not going to win you a title over the course of a season. He can certainly impact and change games, though - a bit like former Chelsea teammate Mateo Kovacic.

The Croat is a rotational player at Manchester City and Jorginho ought to occupy the same status at the Gunners if they are to reach Pep Guardiola’s level.

A brilliant addition alongside Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice would denote a world class midfield and contribute towards Arsenal being favourites for the title next season, so the club have a good opportunity this summer window.

Thomas Partey's lack of availability has caused more headaches than solutions for the manager, which he alluded to earlier this season. Bruno Guimareas fits the No.8 bill superbly with Newcastle potentially having to sell a key player or two, albeit he would take a chunk out of the transfer budget.

Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa would be another good option, although a tough chase if the Villans get Champions League football. Everton star Amadou Onana seems most likely to rock up at the Emirates Stadium but would be a less sure-fire success than the aforementioned duo.

Adrien Rabiot is also a free option this summer, albeit isn’t the first name that crops up in the world-class conversation. Arteta does have options, it’s just about picking the right one.

Tom Coley – Central Audience Writer

Keeping Jorginho is a smart piece of business for multiple reasons as he offers experience and know-how at the top level for a group still experiencing certain obstacles for the first time. He is also incredibly durable and rarely fails to be available, which certainly matters given Partey's fitness record.

The Ghanaian is now a long way from being the irreplaceable figure that he was just 12 months ago. If Arsenal are to be as ruthless as they need to be, then letting him go must be considered. With the time left on his contract, it would be too much of a risk to not future-proof things.

Arsenal need to now keep advancing with their enhanced status. They need to be going after the best midfielders around. Bruno Guimaraes makes a lot of sense, albeit not a like-for-like replacement with Partey, far from it, but he is a more natural fit as the left No.8 than Kai Havertz is.

Adding another midfielder will reduce the German's minutes in a deeper role which benefits the entire side. Declan Rice can frankly play with anybody so it isn't a massive case of getting the right profile. However, a choice over just how often he is going to be the defensive midfielder or more adventurous No.8 must be made.

It's a bit out there but would Conor Gallagher do the trick? He's not particularly close to being an Arteta-type player, but with energy and pressing, as well as ever-improving skill on the ball, he is certainly an outsider to watch. Unlike with Guimaraes, Chelsea would more actively be willing to sell him as well.

Jake Stokes – Central Audience Writer

Arsenal need to sign two new midfielders this summer – a number six and a number eight. Thomas Partey, who sees his contract at the Emirates Stadium expire next year, just hasn't done enough this season to warrant a place in the squad, meanwhile, Kai Havertz has proven to be a far more valuable asset when spearheading the frontline.

So, who does Edu sign? First, Martin Zubimendi. Jorginho, who has just signed a contract extension, has helped the Gunners control some pretty big games this season, so it's pivotal that Mikel Arteta can lean on him if the Real Sociedad ace struggles to adapt to the Premier League's demands.

Next, Arsenal need a number eight. Somebody who's just as comfortable dropping alongside Declan Rice as they are threading the eye of a needle in the final third. Step forward Frenkie de Jong.

While Arteta already has Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira, the duo are better suited to the 'Martin Odegaard role' or a place on the wing. The Gunners need a playmaker with a bit of steel. In an ideal world, Bruno Guimaraes joins but Newcastle will probably demand an unholy fee.