Arsenal will look to strengthen at the back in January…
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that Arsenal need to improve their defence. However, to quote a genius: “Attack will win you games but defence will win you titles.”
This famous line from Sir Alex Ferguson has stood true when it comes to Arsenal. They have one of the best attacks in Europe with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil and Nicolas Pepe all in contention. Not to mention the up and coming stars in Reiss Nelson, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
So, why is it that Arsenal sit in sixth place of the Premier League, are out of the Champions League and are pondering whether Unai Emery is the right man for the future? Well, it’s their defensive frailties. Those frailties stem much deeper than the fact they employ Shkodran Mustafi, but that’s always a good starting point.
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Sokratis Papastathopoulos and David Luiz are both subpar too which leaves the Gunners with two centre back options and they are the two youngest; Calum Chambers and Rob Holding. There is also plenty of excitement with William Saliba joining the club next season. This sets the Gunners up nicely for the future.
According to Tuttosport, the Arsenal board are considering signing another young centre back option. It’s thought that they will submit a bid for Merih Demiral of Juventus in January. Furthermore, the Old Lady will accept an offer if the cash sum is right.
Demiral only signed for the Turin club this year but he has only made one league apperance in that time. It was a match against Verona at the start of the season which Juve conceded a goal. He didn’t do much to impress in this match, hence he is yet to be given another chance.
However, just because it hasn’t worked out for him in Italy, this doesn’t mean that Arsenal’s interest in him is silly. In fact, it’s admirable. They have finally sussed a solution to their centre back dilemma, and that is to secure four promising players in the position, so they can grow and nurture as players together.
If things don’t work out, then William Saliba is pretty much guaranteed a spot in the starting XI next year anyway.
Do you think that Arsenal have made the right decision in chasing the Turkish defender Merih Demiral? Discuss your thoughts in the comments below!