Tony Cascarino has labelled Hector Bellerin as a problem, claiming their right-back options are weak.
The Gunners are expected to go into the summer with a slim budget, with a limited chance of qualifying for Europe which could well have seen more investment.
After losing our last games back-to-back, we sit down in tenth place, and may need to look at offloading certain players in order to make the changes needed to improve the playing squad.
Cascarino claims that our right-back position is one that needs improving, labelling it a problem area, claiming that Bellerin is not good enough.
He told talkSPORT: “Their right-back position is a problem.
“Hector Bellerin is not a good right-back for me. He’s quick, he’s pleasing on the eye. I don’t think he’s a great defender, I never have done.
“But who’s putting pressure on him? [Ainsley] Maitland-Niles has become a sort of wing-back, but he’s not going to do it.
“On the other side, they’re fine. [Bukayo] Saka can play left-back, [Kieran] Tierney can play left-back, no problem.”
The former Chelsea goes onto critique the rest of the squad also, claiming the whole team ethos needs looking at.
He added: “They’ve got no goals in midfield, it’s all top-heavy with [Alexandre] Lacazette, [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang, [Nicolas] Pepe, [Gabriel] Martinelli – those type of forwards.
“I personally think until they get a team ethic in that club and that means everyone contributing – defenders contributing, midfielders and forwards – that club is going to stand still.
“There have got to be some huge decisions made by Arteta over senior members of his squad that he’s going to have to get out the door.
“Even if it makes them a slightly poorer side, he has to make big calls on certain players.”
Has Bellerin’s level dropped in recent seasons? Should we consider cashing in on him this summer? How many new players does Arteta need to bring in in the coming window for us to be taken seriously next term?
Patrick
While I have never considered Bellerin to be a top class full back, we need to strengthen the spine of the team as a priority, before we deal with the fringes.On the assumption that Saliba will be the real deal, we desperately need three other quality players at centre back,defensive midfield and ideally a creative midfielder.It’s very easy for punters like Cascarino to highlight weaknesses but they rarely come forward with constructive ideas of how we can unload our sub standard performers ,particularly during a period of Global economic crisis.In practical terms, until we can partially clear our decks we cannot bring in qua?ity upgrades.Bellerin is not a great full back, but he is less damaging than all our centre backs and our experienced midfielders.
Cascarino is right Bellerin can’t defend, has no control of the ball and technically, he’s not good enough. Who said he was a favourite with the fans? Not me, why we never took Barca’s offer of £40M is mind boggling. Apparantely Inter we’ll now give us £27M, take it, before they change their mind