Arsenal already have two superior John Stones’s on the books

Arsenal will always be linked to stupid transfer rumors, but hearing John Stones name attached may take the cake, as we already have two better versions.

Death, taxes, and stupid transfer rumors – that’s what Arsenal fans can rely on. Normally, it involves Karim Benzema, but this time it involves John “Pebbles” Stones, who has failed to make the grade at Manchester City, so therefore must be the perfect fit for the Gunners.

Only he isn’t. Or rather, he would be, if we didn’t already have two more promising versions of him at the club already.

Before there was John Stones, there was Calum Chambers. The future of the English defense and the greatest thing since sliced bread. After Stones, there was Rob Holding, much the same. Stones is stuck in the middle of an Arsenal sandwich of English defending potential.

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None have made the grade yet, but ask me who is closest, and I, without hesitation, say Chambers. Calum Chambers has been knocking on the door all year and has stepped up any time he is called upon (to play centerback, that is).

Holding is nipping at Chambers’ heels, and always looks up for the challenge that playing on an Arsenal defense provides.

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As in, this defense has been stretched paper thin at times, mostly on account of the attack being dominant, but not dominant enough to win over the entire flow of a game.

Manchester City are similar, only better. They don’t have to defend as much because they can often be found eating up time attacking. But even when called upon, they, too, have had their problems, and Stones is no exception.

So why would we want him? The oldest of three young English defenders, Stones has the worst overall numbers of any of the three. Tackles won, interceptions, aerial duels – you name it, he’s at the bottom of it.

Again, I must ask, why would we want him? Is it because we think him better than Chambers or Holding? If so, it’s name value only, and since paying £50m for him, Pep Guardiola has soured on his usage of the young man.

Meanwhile, Chambers and Holding combined cost less than half of that, yet they are doing better than him. I would rather keep rubbing that in their face than try to bail Stones out when he isn’t needed over here.

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This club has defensive problems. But adding more of what we already have isn’t a way to fix them.