How Arsenal will line up with Joao Felix

Cameron Smith

• 13 Dec 2022 14:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Joao Felix is set to leave Spanish giants Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window, with the Portuguese star failing to hit the heights expected of him at the club and Diego Simeone's side in need of additional funds.

Their exit from the 2022/23 Champions League group stages means they need to offload several players in January, according to reports, and Felix is among the stars set to leave during the winter transfer window.

Many elite clubs around Europe have taken notice of Felix's updated transfer status, including the likes of Juventus, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

READ: Could Arsenal REALLY sign Joao Felix? The state of play

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side are also in the hunt to sign him given his availability and the fact that Gabriel Jesus suffered a serious injury while on Brazil duty at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Felix joined Atleti back in 2019 as a fresh-faced teenager following his outstanding breakout season at boyhood club Benfica, but has netted just 33 goals in 129 appearances since arriving in Madrid.

But, his talent level still can't be questioned, which is why so many teams are chasing him.

READ: Premier League 2022/23 January transfers: All the Done Deals

How would Joao Felix fit in at Arsenal?

The defensive line would remain the same if Felix arrived, with Benjamin White and Oleksandr Zinchenko flanking the centre-half partnership of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney would provide depth. Aaron Ramsdale would keep his place in between the sticks.

The tried and trusted midfield three of Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard have worked nicely throughout the 2022/23 campaign and would flourish with Felix ahead of them.

Felix would naturally replace Gabriel Jesus in the line-up, given the Brazilian's injury and his ability to pick up space in between the lines. The Portuguese star could also play on the left flank, but with Gabriel Martinelli in electric form it wouldn't make sense to remove him from that role. Bukayo Saka would keep his place as the first-choice right winger.