3 things Wenger’s Arsenal must improve ahead of the run in

Central midfield stability

A lot has been said in recent years about Arsenal’s need for a defensive midfielder with a strong physical presence bu who can also play the Arsenal way.

It looked like they had got it with Francis Coquelin, but he has struggled this term; it looked like they had got it with Granit Xhaka, but his disciplinary concerns raised huge doubts about his reliability.

With Santi Cazorla injured and Mohamed Elneny on African Cup of Nations duty throughout January, the Gunners were depleted in that area, leaving Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to fill in against Chelsea and Hull, the latter game he performed particularly well in.

However, with Elneny back and Xhaka ready following a four-match ban, you sense that Arsenal need continuity in that position – Wenger either needs to back Xhaka, or not, back Oxlade-Chamberlain to do the job, or not.

Egyptian international Elneny looks a solid player in that position, but it still remains to be seen whether he is the answer – it’s an answer Wenger needs to find over the coming months if his men are to finish in the top four, and indeed battle for silverware come May.