Arsenal: Matthijs de Ligt worth whatever you have to pay

Arsenal are somehow still in the running for Matthijs de Lig, and it’s safe to say that whatever we have to spent is well worth it.

After the 4-1 bashing at the hands of Chelsea, many Arsenal fans are of the same mindset. This rebuild can be fast-forwarded by doing two things, and doing them quickly. 1. Sell as many players as you can. 2. Spend it all on the defense.

Of course there are other needs, but sorting out the defense should be the top priority. I mocked Liverpool when they spent that ungodly fee on Virgil van Dijk, but guess what? I’ll take all the laughter now. Clearly it worked, and clearly Arsenal need to learn from them. And that is what former boss George Graham is saying too.

Naturally, Graham would know, and he has pointed the Gunners in the direction of Matthijs de Ligt, the Ajax captain and Dutch international, still just 19-years-old.

The thing with this defense is that there is no shortage of bodies. There are actually far too many bodies, some young, some old.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

What they tragically lack is one consistent defender who can be the control tower, not just with leadership on and off the pitch, but with world class ability that has been lacking since Koscielny’s health has started to fade.

You can find that in multiple places, sure. Samuel Umtiti is a great start, and if you can land him for £44m, that’d be great. But de Ligt is a different level than anyone else. His ability to be a leader of men at such a young age is unparalleled. He’s big enough, smart enough, strong enough to be a world class defender for the next 15 years, and you tell me what monetary value that has. Because to me, it’s boundless. I don’t care what you have to spend to land someone like de Ligt, you spend it. And then you reap in the rewards. That’s it. No assembly required.

You don’t get young guys like de Ligt popping up that often, so with the opportunity here, it has to be seized upon. If Manchester United are in the running, even without Champions League, then why aren’t we also?

That’s what this comes down to – just spend the money. Sell some players afterwards and call it a day. Just don’t leave anything up to chance when it comes to this defense and next year. It’s way too important.