“We have still not replaced Gilberto” is a well heard narrative heard at Arsenal for many a year, and it was heard no louder than after the draw at Anfield on Sunday when we well and truly lost the midfield battle.

Gilberto Silva left Arsenal in the summer of 2008. That is 13 transfer windows again. Our midfield has been neglected ever since.

Do not believe me, the below is a list of defensive midfielders and central midfielders that Arsenal bought since Gilberto was released. And what our opponents have spent in the same time:

The full breakdown is:

Arsenal
Amaury Bischoff Free
Mikel Arteta £10,000,000
Mathieu Flamini Free
Total spent: £10million

Chelsea
Nemanja Matic £1,500,000
Ramires £18,300,000
Raul Meireles £12,000,000
Oriol Romeu £4,350,000
Nemanja Matic £21,000,000
Marco van Ginkel £8,000,000
Cesc Fàbregas £30,000,000
Total: £95.15m

Everton
Marouane Fellani £15,000,000
Darron Gibson £2,000,000
Thomas Hitzlsperger Free
James Mc Carthy £13,000,000
Muhamed Bešić £4,000,000
Gareth Barry £2,000,000
Total: £36m

Liverpool
Raul Meireles £11,500,000
Jonjo Shelvey £1,700,000
Charlie Adam £7,000,000
Jordan Henderson £16,000,000
Joe Allen £15,000,000
Emre Can £10,000,000
Total: £61.2m

Manchester City
Nigel De Jong £16,000,000
Patrick Viera Free
Gareth Barry £12,000,000
Yaya Toure £24,000,000
Owen Hargreaves Free
Javi Garcia £16,000,000
Jack Rodwell £15,000,000
Fernandinho £30,000,000
Fernando £12,000,000
Total: £125m

Manchester United
Marouane Fellaini £27,500,000
Daley Blind £13,800,000
Ander Herrera £29,000,000
Total: £70.3m

Spurs
Wilson Palacios £12,000,000
Sandro £6,000,000
Lewis Holtby £1,500,000
Moussa Dembele £15,000,000
Gylfi Sigurdsson £8,000,000
Etienne Capoue £8,600,000
Paulinho £17,000,000
Benjamin Stambouli £4,700,000
Total: £72.8m

It is clear that for nearly 7 years, we have neglected the midfield. Yes, in that time, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere have come through, saving us a few million, but the fact is it is not good enough.

When you take defensive midfielder’s in isolation, it is even worse. We have bought 1 player who was naturally a defensive midfielder, Mathieu Flamini. The midfield has clearly been neglected.

Will this be addressed in January? Probably not.

Games are won and lost in the middle of the park, and until we invest in this key position, we will not compete for titles.

Keenos
Follow @KeenosAFC