Arsenal: Club must have good answer for no Dayot Upamecano

Dayot Upamecano looks set to leave RB Leipzig this summer. Should Arsenal not sign the centre-back, they must have a good answer for doing so.

You do not need to be a rocket scientist to work out that Arsenal need some significant help at centre-back. While Mikel Arteta has substantially improved the defensive efficacy of his team, there are still significant, insurmountable shortcomings in personnel. A new centre-half — or two — would do absolute wonders.

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William Saliba will arrive from Saint-Etienne after the 18-year-old has completed his year-long loan at the Ligue 1 club. When fit, he has greatly impressed in his first true season as a regular starter. He will help, without question. But relying on a teenager to solve your defensive issues is not wise. More is still required.

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The name on most fans’ lips, the player that most would like to see Arsenal chase and acquire this summer, is RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano, who has long been one of the premier central defenders in the Bundesliga despite only being 21 years of age.

This season, Upamecano has shone for Leipzig, flourishing as the anchor of Julian Naglesmann’s title-chasing team — Leipzig currently sit in second position in the Bundesliga, just one point behind leaders Bayern Munich. Upamecano has a year remaining on his contract and has been extensively linked with a summer exit. Given his stature, performances, and the success and style of the team he plays, Arsenal would be wise to pursue.

Nagelsmann employs a vicious high press. He requires his defenders to cover a lot of ground against the counter-attack. He has also instilled a playing-out-from-the-back approach that leans on the defenders’ abilities in distribution. It is a comparable approach to Arteta’s. Upamecano has excelled in both departments.

Immediately, Upamecano’s power, size and speed jump out. He is a large human being. But he also understands how to use his frame to his advantage. He is not cumbersome or unbalanced. He is quick, agile, aware of when to aggressively chase the ball without his momentum being used against him. He is a smart, intelligent, timely defender.

He is also excellent in possession. He is very comfortable with the ball at his feet, regularly stepping into midfield and past the first line of the opposing high press. He has a lovely range of passing and does not always keep it simple, looking to progress play into advanced areas, clipping through passes over the top of opposing defences with a lovely sliced delivery off his right foot.

It sounds stupid to say, but he is almost the complete modern-day centre-half. All at the age of 21, which offers room for growth, outstanding resale value, and an extended shelf-life that could see him anchor the Arsenal defence for a decade or more. So why would you not sign Upamecano? In reality, that question is impossible to answer.

And so, if Arsenal do not sign Upamecano this summer, which is not unlikely whatsoever, they must have a good answer for failing. Upamecano is an awesome prospect, so if they miss, there better be a good reason why.