Arsenal are said to be keeping close tabs on another Brazilian youngster currently, with Bruno Fuchs a possible target this summer.
With little football likely to be played any time soon, the attention turns the transfer market, and the latest target happens to be another central defender.
Pablo Mari joined from Serie A side Flamengo on a loan deal with an option to buy, and the jury remains out on whether such a permanent deal would be profitable to our side. The left-footed Spaniard has just made his Premier League debut before the suspension of the division, and looks deserving of an extended run in the first team.
We are now believed to be looking to potentially bring in a young player from Mari’s current club rival Internacional. Bruno Fuchs is hardly a household name in Europe, but he is picking up a number of potential suitors on the continent as word spreads of his performances, and we are amongst those reportedly scouting him currently.
The 20 year-old may see the opportunity to play alongside fellow Brazilians Gabriel Martinelli and David Luiz as exciting, and the fact that the former has been given so many chances this season could be a big plus for any move we make.
It remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta sees a long-term future for Calum Chambers, Rob Holding, Sokratis or Mustafi at Arsenal, but it seems near certain that at least one of them will have to leave the club should move for Fuchs and/or Mari this summer.
I personally think that Rob Holding has been hampered by injuries, but is more than good enough to stay with us long-term, while Mari also looks like a good acquisition.
Which defenders would be top of your discard pile? How many years does Luiz have left at the top of the game?
Patrick
“Which defenders would be top of my discard pile?” Firstly , some applause for the accurate use of the phrase “discard pile” as that is precisely what it is; a DISCARD PILE, of inferior players who all need booting out. In my opinion you need to go right back to Sol CAMPBELL FOR THE LAST BACK FOUR DEFENDER OF REAL TOP CLASS WE HAD. Kos was decent, even good, but NOT even approaching world class and he was easily the best since Campbell but miles inferior to him, even so.
Ideally, I would bin the entire defensive pile at Arsenal with these few exceptions, though I realise we cannot hope to do that while Kroeke withholds proper funds. I would keep only Leno, Tierney, Mari, Saliba, (plus Holding and Mavrop for just one more season before deciding, once and for all, if they are good enough or should be sold). In an ideal world I would bin Bellerin, Martinez, Kolas, Soares(never would have bought him at all) the three clowns, Luiz, Sokratis and Mustafi, plus Chambers too. I only count defenders proper and those who primarily play in our so called “defence” .
My midfield pile would include Ozil, Xhaka, Torreira(who is just too small , sadly, though I admire his guts) with Willock and Guendouzi both a borderline only keep. Willock is worth another season as he has some talent but quickly needs to come through or be let go . For my money there will be no more Walcotts(ten plus wasted years) Wilsheres and Diabys, both never fit and I would be ruthless, just as I am convinced Arteta will be , within the bounds of the pittance Kroenke will allow for proper replacements of quality. All our other young players excite me, including ES-R who I foresee returning and in the team next season. All others currently in our squad or coming through I would gladly keep, even Pepe, who has underwhelmed so far but who does show real talent but who needs intensive coaching and to play on his natural left flank.
I been saying it for months now PEPE needs to play on the left flank
Your discard list John is very similar to my own which does include Mik and Elneny.Like you I feel next season will be a make or break year for Willock and Guendouzi and hopefully , under the guidance of Arteta, they will both develope and make the grade.Chambers to be fair was doing fairly well prior to his injury , and once he is fit again he could be a useful back up utility player.
GRANDAD, I took it for read that MIK and ELNENY have already effectively gone and have zero chance, thank God, of ever again wearing our shirt. I did think twice about includingChambers and agree that he was showing some promise and IF he stays it should be as DM imo. But the deciding factor for me was his injury record, to be frank! We must NEVER AGAIN carry a long list of constantly injured passengers as WENGER WAS SO UNCONCERNED TO KEEP AND TO DRAIN OUR WAGEBILL TOO. I am convinced those sloppy ways are behind us now.