Arsenal have been linked with several defenders ahead of the summer transfer window, but one target will not be an option for Mikel Arteta this summer.
Although Arsenal were outstanding defensively this season, with a club record low of 29 goals conceded in 38 Premier League games, Arteta feels that there is room for improvement in his back line.
Ben White has excelled at right-back, and William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are arguably the best centre-back partnership in Europe right now.
However, left-back has been an issue for Arteta this season. Oleksandr Zinchenko’s form suffered a dip after a fine first season following his £32m move from Manchester City, with his defensive awareness criticised.
Takehiro Tomiyasu missed a lot of the campaign through injury, and whilst Jakub Kiwior initially impressed when stepping in, he eventually showed that he was out of his depth in the biggest games away from his natural position.
This could mean Arsenal sign a left-back, with Ajax’s Jorrel Hato linked, as well as Juventus star Andrea Cambiaso, but one of these options is no longer available.
Arsenal target Andrea Cambiaso agrees new deal at Juventus
Arsenal were linked with Juventus defender Cambiaso in recent days, who was linked with a move away after a strong first season at the Italian giants.
The 24-year-old could have been a perfect option for Arteta if he was available this summer, but he has now agreed a long-term contract to stay with Juventus, and work with incoming head coach Thiago Motta again after making 27 appearances under him for Bologna.
“Juventus have now reached full agreement to extend Andrea Cambiaso’s contract. New long term deal will be valid until June 2029 with salary increase included for the fullback who’s also highly rated by Thiago Motta,” Fabrizio Romano posted on X.
This may come as a blow for Arteta, given that Cambiaso could have been the perfect signing at left-back this summer.
Why Andrea Cambiaso would have been perfect to replace Oleksandr Zinchenko for Arsenal
Cambiaso is capable of playing on both sides of defence, predominantly as an attacking wing-back, but can also thrive in a back four.
His ability with the ball on both feet means that he could have played an inverted role like Zinchenko’s on the left, or even an overlapping role like White on the right.
The Italian possesses outstanding vision, which has seen him produce several incredible assists, and he would have brought a blend of technical security, attacking threat and defensive awareness to the left-back position.
Former Juventus manager Max Allegri described him as “intelligent” after his debut for the club, and he could have been a more well-rounded option than the much-criticised Zinchenko.
Zinchenko has just two years remaining on his Arsenal contract with no talk of an extension, and if Cambiaso arrived, it could have meant he was moved on with less fears over losing his technical excellence at left-back, but Arteta will have to look elsewhere for a solution now.