Arsenal and Ruben Dias: Here’s why he’s a must-sign

Arsenal are being linked to another young Benfica talent, centre-half Ruben Diaz. So, I ask the simple question: Should they make him a target or pass up on him?

Benfica is molding some wonderful young talents currently with yet another being linked abroad. Arsenal are reportedly interested in their talented young center-back Ruben Dias.

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He is a tall, smart and natural athlete, and, at first glance, would be a wonderful replacement for the ageing Laurent Koscielny if neither Calum Chambers or Rob Holding work out. Either way, he is a tantalizing prospect for the future.

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Dias has had a wonderful season so far this year, making 23 appearances in all competitions. Unfortunately, though, he has picked up a malleolar injury (ankle fracture) and his timetable to return is currently unknown. When fit, he is a formidable presence in the back line, strong and commanding. He also knows where the net, is scoring three goals this year. This is his first season with the Benfica senior team, previously playing for the B team, and has played for Benfica since 2008, steadily climbing through their youth ranks up until this point.

If Arsenal were to sign Andrija Zivkovic, a teammate of Dias’s at Benfica, then maybe they could lure Dias also. With both players on the roster, the Gunners may feel that they can challenge for the title.

Dias would add more youth and quality to the backline. He would be coming to the club with more experience and game time at a higher level. There have also been talks of him even becoming the captain of Benfica, which would be huge for a twenty-year-old, showing his maturity at such a young age, a trait that is desperately missing in the defensive options currently at the Emirates.

It could be argued that Arsenal actually have too many center-back options. Chambers, Holding, and Konstantinos Mavropanos are all youth prospects looking to break into the starting eleven, while the everpresent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi make it tough for any new center-back to fit in.

The problem, though, is not a quantity one. Numbers are not the issue. Quality is. There are shortcomings to each and every one of those players: Koscielny gets injured too often; Mustafi is very inconsistent; not enough has been seen of Mavropanos to be able to get a clear picture of how good he could be; Chambers and Holding still have a long road ahead of them.

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With all this in mind, should Arsenal go out of their way to fork over £35 million for a player at a position where numbers are aplenty? The simple answer is yes. He has shown his quality and his determination in his short career thus far. He could be the anchor of the defence, the heartbeat of the squad, the captain of the team. Pay up, Arsene Wenger.