Arsenal boss Unai Emery is prioritising the signing of a new left-back in the January transfer window, according to Football.London.
What’s the word?
Unai Emery has seen his Arsenal side struggle for stability at the start of his tenure at the Emirates Stadium, losing his opening two matches against Manchester City and Chelsea before bouncing back to grind out wins over West Ham and Cardiff City.
There is clearly a lot of work to be done for the Gunners, particularly in defence, and a major issue this season has come down the left side with both Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac on the sidelines due to injury – with the former merely slotting in at left-back.
That has left Nacho Monreal, who himself has only recently returned to fitness, as Arsenal’s only senior recognised left-sided defender in the squad and Football.London report Charles Watts states that Emery has made signing a new player in this area a priority.
What was said?
“It’s tough to say exactly right now, but I’m not expecting Arsenal to do much in January. A new left-back is certainly a priority, whether that will be something they look to do in January though I’m not sure.
“A wide attacker is also on the agenda and Cristian Pavon has big admirers at Arsenal, but I still think he will end up in Spain.”
Who should be targeted?
While the report suggests that January signings may be limited, Arsenal should go all-out to secure two major additions in the mid-season market by bringing a new left-back and a winger into the Emirates Stadium to bolster the side in their push for Champions League football.
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Boca Juniors ace Christian Pavon, who caught the eye at the World Cup, stands as the ideal target to bolster Arsenal’s attack in the wide areas but he could prove to be costly, with Spanish outlet AS stating earlier this summer his release clause has been raised to €42.5m.
At the back, Celtic’s Kieran Tierney would be the ideal signing after staring for Brendan Rodgers’ side during recent seasons but, like Pavon, he could prove to be an expensive addition – and it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will have the funds to pursue his services.
An alternative is 25-year-old Hoffenheim ace Nico Schulz, who earned a call-up to Joachim Lowe’s latest Germany squad and could look to leave the Bundesliga side when Julian Nagelsmann seals a move to RB Leipzig at the end of the season.
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