The imminent transfer of Wolves’ Ruben Neves to Barcelona has drawn attention to Arsenal’s midfield scouting.

Neves, a target in January, was part of a broader plan that highlights the Gunners’ strategic vision.

Arsenal transfers - Wolverhampton Wanderers' Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves reacts after suffering an injury during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on March 18, 2022. (Photo by GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images)
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves reacts after suffering an injury during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on March 18, 2022. (Photo by GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images)

Exploring Arsenal’s midfield targets

Arsenal transfers - LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers in action during the Premier League match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on March 13, 2022. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers in action during the Premier League match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on March 13, 2022. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Neves: A piece of the puzzle

While Ruben Neves has been in Arsenal’s sights since the January transfer window, he was only one piece of a larger, strategic puzzle.

Arsenal had a number of targets in the pipeline, indicating a more comprehensive plan for strengthening the midfield.

Impact of Neves’s potential move

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers in action during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion at Molineux on April 30, 2022. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers in action during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion at Molineux on April 30, 2022. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Despite Neves likely heading to Barcelona, the Gunners are unphased.

Arsenal’s well-thought-out strategy has allowed them to have multiple options at their disposal.

This foresight demonstrates a shrewd understanding of the unpredictable nature of the transfer market.

The focus on other targets

Now, the spotlight is on other potential midfield acquisitions.

Players like Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are drawing heavy interest from Arsenal with Rice all but expected to sign.

This shift in focus is not a knee-jerk reaction to Neves’s likely transfer, but rather a premeditated manoeuvre in the grander scheme of Arsenal’s tactical vision.