In the last three seasons, one area where Arsenal have consistently impressed is in defence. Mikel Arteta managed to find the right balance at the back during the 2022/2023 campaign, and since then, the backline has remained one of the strongest departments in the team.
The centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel has been instrumental in Arsenal’s resurgence, and their chemistry is arguably among the best in the league. Fortunately for Arteta, he also has options like Ben White and Jurrien Timber, both of whom are capable of playing centrally if needed. Jakub Kiwior has also grown into his role and shown himself to be a reliable backup.
Mosquera’s talent is clear, but timing is questionable
Despite this strong foundation in defence, Arsenal have recently been linked with a move for Valencia’s highly rated young defender, Cristhian Mosquera. The Spain Under-21 international is clearly a player with a bright future, and his potential makes him an attractive prospect for any top club.
However, signing him now raises questions. With Saliba and Gabriel firmly established as first-choice starters, and White, Timber, and Kiwior all available, opportunities for regular football would likely be limited. It could become difficult to justify the signing, particularly when Arsenal have other areas in far greater need of attention this summer.
Priorities should lie in attack
Arsenal’s need for another striker and a new winger has been widely discussed. They have struggled in some big moments due to a lack of cutting edge in the final third, and that should be the club’s priority in the transfer market. Strengthening the attack would give Arteta more firepower and greater tactical flexibility, especially in matches where opponents sit deep or key players are unavailable.
While adding depth in defence is never a bad idea, doing so before addressing attacking gaps could lead to an imbalance. The club must be strategic with its resources, and in this case, securing a goalscorer and a top winger should come before looking at additional centre-backs.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
It can only be explained by kiwor or another defensive leaving the club before the start of next season.
It’s crazy to think after all of these defensive signings, with partey going and white prone to injury RB cover could actually be a problem next season .
Sometimes when opportunities arrive that are too good to ignore, you gotta strike. This guy is one of the best young centerbacks in the world and is on the last year of his contract, so the fee won’t be that high. That’s what we have a scouting network for, to spot talent like this so the club is in a position to take advantage when there’s an opportunity
Absolutely. If we’re going to challenge for titles we will always need solid depth options too, as last year demonstrated only too clearly!
I never considered that White was prone to injury at all.
You’re correct in thinking that. He’s clearly not at full fitness and hasn’t been for a while but he is absolutely not injury prone over the course of his career.
Sign him, loan him to Burnley or Sunderland to gain pl experience
Congrats Ethan Nwaneri!! England U21s back to back winners of the tournament after extra time beating Germany. Today’s all 3 important matches went to extra time. In CWC Palmeiras, Chelsea v Benfica and England U21s.
Saliba hasn’t signed his new contract yet, so we’d need a new right-footed CB if he leaves this summer
Calafiori and Magalhaes are also injury-prone
Gabriel is not remotely injury prone. He had a bad injury last season but he’s played a huge number of games the last few seasons.
We have 3 left fotted CB ( Gabriel, kiwor, & Calofiori). The problem with left-footed us they cannot pair, if they do, the team is unbalanced unlike the right footed. So I see kiwor or Calofiori leaving. Arsenal need to recoup as well. I suspect we are going to sell Ben white as well. And hopefully Tomiyasu will be available for a backup. I think Ben white is too expensive to be a back up for timber. Hope we sign Eze, not that Rodrygo guy
I agree…I think EZE is a tremendous addition. He can play on either wing and also as a striker, and he is a great dead-ball addition
WTF?! There is literally a 0% chance of Ben White being sold.
Last season Man United had the most success with Maguire playing up front. Arteta must have seen that and thought to himself “we need more centre backs”
🤣🤣🤣
I disagree with this article. It is, of course, imperative for Arsenal to strengthen in forward areas. However, the club also need to consider the issues we have in defence. It is essential to address potential weaknesses in all parts of the team and take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
A Saliba challenger is probably needed seeing how fatigue caught up with him and he dropped off towards the end of the season. I still believe not keeping Tierney was a mistake. Zinchenko, Calafiori and Tomiyasu should all be sold or terminated. A new CAM, winger and 2 strikers and we are good for the new season.
Sorry, but you would terminate Calafiori’s contract?! He cost over 40 million quid last year! And Zinchenko who is likely to be sold for at least 10 million this summer? You’d terminate his contract too?! Absolutely ridiculous take.
It was best for all parties that Tierney left.
Calafiori has a big part to play in the team going forward.
Tomi and Zinchenko should leave.
As for the CAM role, I think Nwaneri and Odegaard can hold that position
Either Saliba or Gabriel will or could be leaving for a big ticket sooner or later, to have a replacement ready for that moment would be smart. However, we should not make this move at the expense of addressing our biggest need, more goals upfront in the form of a top striker (not sure one is available) and or a top left-winger.
Yes squad depth –
Cover for Saliba and plenty of game time with all comps
Gabriel/ Kiwior
Saliba/ Mosquera
Tomi always injury prone unfortunately as he’s a good player when fit
I like the idea of signing a new young generational talent. The benefits are twofold: You keep them away from the competition, and you also ensure depth in case of injury or outward movement. An option is to ensure further development by loaning them out short term
Thanks Theodore. I’m in total agreement of signing a “new generational talent”, rather than more 30 year olds but to make this move work we have to ship on one of the likes of ,White, Kiwior, or Tomiyasu. I also don’t like what Timber brings as as an inverted right something or other. Nothing wrong with his defensive capabilities. Strong as, but as a counter attacking option he is as lame as they come. The squad needs serious balance, meaning at least two of these inverted something or others need to be moved on to make way for Mosquera.
Timber/White
Saliba/Mosquera
Gabriel/Kiwior
Skelly/Calafiori
Makes sense to me, don’t know if the kid’s any good though
I’ve got a feeling that Real Madrid are eyeing Saliba for next year and that is why we’re buying Mosquera. Either way, I think we can sell-on mosquera for a profit later on so it’s a good buy.