Arsenal are set to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool for the signature of one Premier League left-back this summer.
Arsenal and their two Premier League title rivals, Liverpool and Manchester City, are all keeping tabs on one top flight full-back.
It is vital that Arsenal invest in a new left-back in the upcoming summer transfer window. It has to be a top priority for Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners’ current options in that part of the pitch all leave something to be desired. Discounting Jurrien Timber, who has spent practically the entire season sidelined by injury, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, and Takehiro Tomiyasu all have question marks over them.
Why Mikel Arteta must bring a new left-back to Arsenal this summer
Zinchenko is considered something of a defensively liability. The Ukrainian defender has endured another injury-hit campaign, and has struggled to produce anything like his best form when called upon in recent weeks. It has been suggested that Arteta has lost faith in Zinchenko over the course of this campaign.
Kiwior has emerged as a decent left-back option this season, despite naturally being a centre-back by trade. However, the Polish defender recently struggled against Bayern Munich in a performance which suggested he isn’t ready to shine at the very highest level.
Meanwhile, Tomiyasu is thought to be the best one-on-one defender in the Arsenal squad. However, Arteta simply cannot rely upon the Japan international to be fit and available when called upon. The 25-year-old seems unable to maintain his fitness for an extended period. Tomiyasu sat out Saturday evening’s clash with Wolves due to having picked up yet another knock against Bayern Munich.
According to The Mirror, Arsenal are now interested in signing Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri who has been valued at £50 million, but may well face competition for his services from Liverpool and Manchester City.
Who is Arsenal transfer target Rayan Ait-Nouri?
Wolves initially signed Ait-Nouri on loan in October 2020, before signing the 22-year-old permanently the following summer. He has since established himself as an exciting, attack-minded full-back who is supremely comfortable in possession and has all the physical attributes needed to thrive in the Premier League.
Arsenal were first linked with Ait-Nouri back in January, suggesting that Arteta has had his eye on the 10-cap Algeria international for some time. Clearly, the Spanish coach isn’t the only one to have spotted the player’s potential to step up to the next level, given Liverpool and Manchester City’s reported interest.
