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Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Time To Revisit Serge Aurier
By Henry Payne
Hector Bellerin’ poor run of form has been highly documented. Perhaps it is time for Arsenal to revisit a familiar face in Serge Aurier, who is capable of replacing Bellerin in the starting XI.
Much has been made of the left-back situation at Arsenal, but the issue at right-back is just as pressing. Hector Bellerin is an incredibly promising player, it is easy to forget his tender youth (22) as he has been a fixture in the Gunner’s side for the last couple of seasons.
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Like many modern-day full-backs, he is much better attacking than he is defending. However, his recent form has been inexcusable, and Wengeris unable to remove him from the starting eleven due to the lack of quality depth behind him.
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Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinson are the current reserve right-backs, but neither will realistically challenge Bellerin for a starting spot now or in the long run. Debuchy has spent the majority of the past two seasons in the treatment room, whilst Jenkinson has looked incredibly shaky in limited appearances. It could be argued that both men deserve a chance in light of Bellerin’s play, but that is unlikely to happen. Both Jenkinson and Debuchy are likely to leave the Emirates this summer.
Enter Serge Aurier. The departures of both Jenkinson and Debuchy would leave the Gunners a man short at right-back, and Aurier would be a fantastic addition. Arsenal were heavily linked with Aurier a few years back, but the Ivorian decided to stay in France and move from Toulouse to Paris Saint-Germain.
He has had his fair share of problems in Paris and has been competing with Thomas Meunier for a starting place all season. Those two things may put some people off but his talent is clear to see and his acquisition could really benefit the Gunners.
I’m not a fan of ‘depth’ signings, players who are signed not to challenge the current starters but to be their backups. Signings should immediately improve a team, and Aurier would do that. Bellerin would not be starting right now if Aurier was on Arsenal’s books. Bellerin could not continue in this form as Aurier is equally as capable as he is.
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This club has been linked with a smattering of right-backs in recent months – Ricardo Pereira, Djibril Sidibe to name a couple – but none match Aurier’s ability. His signing could really help both the team as a whole, and Hector Bellerin moving forward.