I think we're all aware the midfield is the problem, and that we could cope with the same defence and attack for next season. We've been burnt before with getting players from the teams above us who just use us as a retirement centre. We've also seen that players moving up the league to bigger clubs, go with something to prove and in general excel (note not always, but generally do). That said, my preference would be to harvest midfielders from the teams around and below us, so a). we've got players who can hit the ground running and don't need to settle into the league and b). will make us stronger and the other teams weaker, so as to cement our place higher up the league. This is the method that the "Big Boys" use, for example, Man City when they first got money, bought the best players from the teams around them so to make sure they finished above them.
We need a player who can tackle, a player who can create opportunities, and a player who can link others.
Here's my list of potential midfielders from the teams around and below who I think could do a job, would consider coming here, and wouldn't cost the earth:
1. Shelvey (28). Good passer and can add experience as well as a bit of fight. Obviously an ex-RS, but who cares. Decent set piece taker and long ball passer.
2. Hojbjerg (24). His stats aren't flashy, but sometimes the small integral cog in a team goes unnoticed. We need a player who can keep the wheels turning and the play moving forwards (e.g. Barry / Carrick etc). Is he the guy to link the team together?
3. Soucek (25). From what I've seen in his short time at West Ham I'm impressed. Only on loan as well, so maybe a deal could be done. We know Moyes has an eye for a midfield bargain, so why not hijack it!
4. Fornals (24). Could be that little bit of magic in the middle for us. Has impressed in a poor team so far.
5. McNeil (20). Good season at Burnley, highly regarded, could be a good replacement if Bernard is sold.
6. Torreira (24) or Guendouzi (21). Would add a bit of bite to the middle. Although could see them getting sent off a lot for us! I know these guys aren't Arsenals best players, but they have been integral squad players for them and would improve us.
7. Townsend (29). There's a player in there and he shows flashes of it, reminds me a lot of Barkley, and we do cry out for a midfielder who can carry the ball forward. Does he need to be playing at a higher level to get the best out of him? Could Walcott go in the other direction? He's someone I wanted us to sign in 2017, might be a few years too late though! File under better than Iwobi...