Arsenal: Ben Chilwell just makes a whole lot of sense

Ben Chilwell has impressed greatly for Leicester City this season, and was again influential for England during the international break. He just makes a whole lot of sense for Arsenal to target.

I spent my Sunday afternoon watching England play Croatia in the Uefa Nations League. England won 2-1, in the end, in an entertaining match, and played very well in the process.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast right here

As I was watching the match, which I did, naturally, through Arsenal-tinted glasses, — doesn’t every fan watch every game with a perspective of their own team in mind? — I could not help but notice left-back, Ben Chilwell.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

The Leicester City fullback has been in superlative form this season for the Foxes, impressing many people, including Gareth Southgate, who handed him his first senior cap earlier this year. And again here, Chilwell again looked like a very competent, capable defender, built in the modern style with speed to burn, great stamina to bound up and down the flank, and an improving defensive nous and awareness. And all this at just 21 years of age.

Chilwell may not be a flashy name. He may not even be a known name — nevermind a flashy one — among many fans who do not follow players of other clubs in the Premier League. But he is proving himself to be a very viable modern-day fullback that could one day develop into one of the better players in the Premier League and beyond. And that is something that Arsenal should be looking to explore.

With Nacho Monreal now 32 and consistently struggling with injuries and Sead Kolasinac failing to convince in a traditional fullback role, although he does offer some intriguing attacking traits when fielded at wing-back. The future of the position is a little uncertain at this current time. Even if Monreal is able to shake off his injury problems and play at a high level for the remainder of the season, he is hardly a long-term solution.

Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are the only two players in the current squad that could be seen as possible secure starters for the next few seasons. And neither is ideal. Kolasinac is largely unsuited defensively at a traditional fullback position and Maitland-Niles is perhaps better suited to midfield than fullback.

Chilwell, on the other hand, tends to satisfy both ends of the problem: he can play the position at a similar level as Monreal’s best and he is only 21 and provides relative, long-term security. That is the type of player that Arsenal should be looking to sign; he fills a position of need, solves a problem, and is a great age.

Ben Chilwell to Arsenal just makes so much sense. Almost too much sense. Everything fits. But I am not going to be holding my breath on this one.