Wenger had already been giving serious thought to buying a new central midfielder this summer and, although Arteta’s injury should only be fairly short-term, the situation is still likely to concentrate his mind. Arsenal have relied heavily on Arteta over the past three seasons but, at the age of 32 and with only one year remaining on his contract, there is now less certainty about his situation. The other main options in the holding role in front of the defence are Mathieu Flamini, who is more combative but less reliable with his passing, and Calum Chambers, who has never previously played in that position in senior football.