Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey, but what could the Ghanaian's arrival mean for the likes of Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Dani Ceballos? 

According to Partey’s father, talks have already taken place between his son and the Gunners, although a fee still needs to be agreed, while Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen to add another midfielder to his squad. 

Although Partey becoming an Arsenal player is a long way off, plenty of the current midfield crop at the Emirates will be worried about his potential arrival. 

None more so than Dani Ceballos who, despite expressing a desire to stay in north London, looks unlikely to earn a permanent move from Real Madrid when his loan deal expires. 

After a bright start to his Arsenal career, a poor run of form and a hamstring injury saw him fall out of favour. He may have returned to the team in the weeks before football’s suspension, but the Gunners appear unlikely to push for a transfer. 

Matteo Guendouzi should also worry about his playing time if Partey arrives. 

For all the Frenchman’s talent and influence in the early part of the season, he has often frustrated while his youthful naivety can be a problem, with Arteta dropping the 21-year-old for a game against Newcastle United after an issue during the mid-season training camp in Dubai. 

He might have earned his way back into his manager’s good books since then, but he needs to be more mature and consistent if he wants to be a key player at the Emirates. 

The potential signing of Partey may also concern Lucas Torreira.  

The diminutive Uruguayan played a key role in the early days of Arteta’s reign before losing his place to Ceballos and being used sparingly. 

The 24-year-old talents are clear, but would he settle for playing second-fiddle on a regular basis? That remains to be seen, but according to Sky Sports Italy reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Torreira wants to stay at Arsenal despite interest from AC Milan. 

If Partey had been linked with the Gunners so strongly about six months ago, Granit Xhaka would likely have been the one to lose his place. But things have turned around for the Swiss midfielder. 

After a torrid spell under Unai Emery where he was stripped the captaincy and dropped from the team, the former Borussia Monchengladbach man has been rejuvenated under Arteta and played a key role in his reign this far. 

If Partey was to arrive in north London it’s unclear whose place he would take, but the Ghanaian would certainly add quality and steel that have been missing in the middle of the park for Arteta and Arsenal.