Liverpool problem that Danny Murphy claimed caused 'unhappy faces' at club is facing Arsenal

Arsenal could face the same problem that Liverpool experienced with a former player advising them against signing Bruno Guimaraes.

The Gunners are gearing up to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window, even if they secure the Premier League title in what would be a miraculous final day of the season. As the opening of the market approaches next month, potential signings are already being linked with the club.

A new striker is thought to be a primary focus while a centre midfielder also seems to be on Mikel Arteta's list. Newcastle United's box-to-box midfielder Guimaraes is reportedly a key target for Arteta, but the Magpies may need to sell him to meet Financial Fair Play regulations.

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Former Gunners defender Mikael Silvestre, however, believes his old team already have strength in numbers in midfield. Via the Mirror, Silvestre, told bettingexpert.com: "Bruno Guimaraes is a starter, so I don't think it would make sense to bring him to Arsenal with all the other midfield players they have.

"Declan Rice, [Thomas] Partey and Jorginho play that position, but all the good players will be linked to Arsenal and the other top teams. I don't see that happening but I could be wrong."

Nonetheless, Arteta has shown no hesitation in upgrading positions when he sees fit. His decision to swap Aaron Ramsdale for David Raya illustrates this mindset, and Kai Havertz's ascension over Gabriel Jesus in the ranks offers more proof.

Jurgen Klopp found himself in a comparable situation after Liverpool's title-winning 2019/20 season. Despite having an array of midfielders, the Reds signed Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich.

Speaking at the time, former Liverpool star Danny Murphy predicted Georginio Wijnaldum's departure which happened a year later. He also reckoned there might be discontent among those who aren't getting much game time - a potential predicament for Arteta.

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Quoted in the Daily Mail, he said: "There is no doubt in my mind Thiago Alcantara is coming to Liverpool as a first XI player - I doubt very much he's had any conversations with Jurgen Klopp about sitting on the bench this season."

"He has great feet, passes well, has super awareness and can play in any of the midfield positions. I don't see any risk at under £30million because he only had a year left on his Bayern contract."

"I do think Gini Wijnaldum's departure has an air of inevitability about it now because Liverpool will have seven or eight players challenging for three positions, which means too many unhappy faces for the balance of the squad."