Arteta confirms one position which Arsenal ‘have to address’ this summer

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal need to add another central defender to the squad this summer, following the loss of Shkodran Mustafi to injury.

Our team has struggled for numbers at centre-back in recent weeks, with Shkodran Mustafi joining the likes of Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari on the sidelines, while Sokratis has been overlooked since the return of football, sitting on the bench bar one very late substitute appearance in the FA Cup.

Arteta has been using Rob Holding, David Luiz, Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac in a back three, while two wing-backs help out with defensive duties, which leaves little room for rotation at present, and Chelsea will have a pretty good shot at guessing the defence they will be coming up against come Saturday.

The coach has now confirmed that he will be looking to add another option at centre-back in the coming window.

“I mentioned three central defenders that are not available and we haven’t had [two of them] them available for a long time during the season,” said the Spaniard after the Watford match (via the DailyMail).

“We will have to address that.”

William Saliba will also be joining up with the playing squad for the new season, having completed his loan deal with St Etienne this term, and it was recently confirmed that he will be wearing the number 4 shirt.

It remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta will be sticking with his formation going into the new season following the success in reverting to a back three plus two wing-backs, but either way more numbers are definitely needed.

Should Arteta look to strengthen the squad around the current system or will he have bigger ideas?

Patrick

Tags defender Mikel Arteta

1 Comment

  1. It seems the fates are against us when it comes to keeping our centre backs fit.For the final we are down to three recognised CBs none of whom are of decent quality,and now with the injury to Mustafi, the prospects of selling him during the transfer window have disappeared.I suspect Arteta will revert to a back three of Holding, Luis and Tierney against Chelsea but if he is looking for a quality young player in that position next season, he should turn his attentions to Ben White who has been excellent on loan from Brighton to Leeds .Brighton already have 4 decent centre backs and may be conducive to an approach.

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