Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Arsenal are planning to strengthen in one key position this summer.
Arsenal are expected to be busy in the upcoming summer transfer window.
There are a number of areas of this Arsenal squad that Mikel Arteta will likely wish to strengthen.
There has been a lot of talk about the Gunners needing a new striker. Against Aston Villa on Sunday, as Gabriel Jesus failed to impress whilst leading the line for Arsenal, it was made starkly clear that the North London club are missing a real killer in front of goal.
Arsenal are also due a midfield rebuild, as Jorginho is ageing and Thomas Partey cannot be relied upon to be fit and available when needed due to his recurring fitness issues. There is also a pressing need to bring in adequate back up for Bukayo Saka.
The Arsenal left-back problem facing Mikel Arteta
Arteta also faces a conundrum at left-back. There are plenty of candidates for the position on the books at the Emirates Stadium, in Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior, and Jurrien Timber. However, despite this plethora of options, there is still a concern about the level of quality available to Arteta.
Of course, given he has practically missed the entire season so far due to injury, it is impossible to fairly judge Timber, who only arrived in North London last summer.
As for Tomiyasu, his strengths and qualities are well known, but his recurring fitness issues make him difficult to rely upon. The Japan international is also not the most progressive of players when featuring at full-back. He is solid defensively, but struggles to impact the game in the final third.
Kiwior is a centre-back by trade, but has shown this season that he can provide a solid option at left-back. At one stage, Kiwior looked to have made himself Arteta’s first-choice pick in that role, however, the Pole looked out of his depth against Bayern Munich in his last outing.
Finally, Zinchenko has had a season to forget so far. Injuries have hampered the Ukrainian at times, and when he has played his performances have often been error-strewn. Zinchenko really struggled against Aston Villa last time out, and there is a sense that the Arsenal fans are turning on the former Manchester City man, as his defensive flaws are no longer being effectively offset by his progressive work on the ball.
Fabrizio Romano provides update on Oleksandr Zinchenko and Arsenal left-back transfer plans
Fabrizio Romano has now indicated that Arsenal will consider investing in a new left-back this summer. Writing in his Daily Briefing, the reporter said, “I can confirm that it’s a possibility for Arsenal to go for a new left-back in the summer. It’s not guaranteed yet because they still have to hold more meetings to discuss their summer plans, but a new left-back is one of the possibilities for the summer transfer window.”
“There’s also been some speculation about the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko but my understanding is that nothing has been discussed yet with him – the full focus is on the final weeks of the season before that.”
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