Our Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern are hoping more big names follow suit after in the summer a great winter window in terms of signings.

Arsene Wenger brought in Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and signed Mesut Ozil up to a new lucrative long-term contract. All this has got the Gunners in the bar very excited for the future, especially after that Everton thumping when we saw what Arsenal could be in the future.

With the new signings and their bumper wage packages comes the existing players in the squad who now want to be upping their weekly wages to go in-line with the big earners at the Emirates.

However, our barman believes reported efforts to tie in-form Aaron Ramsey down should be shelved and Wenger should be looking for alternatives already in the summer. Our landlord agrees with this statement and takes a look at two potential midfield playmakers that could be an upgrade on the Welshman…

Nabil Fekir

The French playmaker is having his best season to date in Ligue 1 with Lyon, the 24-year-old is lighting up the French League with his attacking displays. So far this season, he has helped himself to 16 goals and six assists in the league, in just 21 appearances.

Perhaps Wenger’s French influence could turn Fekir from a relative unknown outside of Ligue 1 to a Gunners start for seasons to come and after a nasty injury, the Lyon man certainly is getting back on track.

Luis Alberto

Alberto is an out an out playmaker, who thrives on playing right down the centre. The Spaniard, who is with Lazio in Serie A at present, is on fire this season with seven goals and seven assists in his 22 starts for the Italian side. Though he failed to impress all too much at Liverpool, he’s certainly found his form over in Italy.

He’s also got the Europa League to contend with and this can only help the 25-year-old’s experience grow over the years.