Arsenal: Top 3 near-relegated players to target

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BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 18: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa runs during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa at American Express Community Stadium on January 18, 2020 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

Looking at the near-relegated teams to find players might be a smart recruitment process for Arsenal. Here are the top three players they should target.

Arsenal have some serious work to do this summer. They will be looking to address major weaknesses across the squad with smart acquisitions. But as history proves, signing players for the Premier League is difficult. Sometimes, investing in players that already have experience of English football and have proven that they can perform well is the wise move.

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So, with that in mind, here are three players from the near-relegated teams that the Gunners could target this summer.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 30: Nathan Ake of AFC Bournemouth acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and AFC Bournemouth at The King Power Stadium on March 30, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

3. Nathan Ake

Arsenal’s need for a centre-back is not a secret. Despite having eight currently on their books, although two are out on loan and one is rehabbing from an ACL tear, Mikel Arteta has very unconvincing options to choose from, especially as starters. Nathan Ake could solve that problem.

The Bournemouth defender is 25 years old and just entering his prime. He has been excellent this season, performing solidly even without much help around him. He is quick, strong in the air, and excellent on the ball, the latter of which is vital for Arteta, who wants his team to play out from the back, even when under pressure.

He is also left-footed. It has been reported that Arteta is keen to balance the number of right and left-footed players throughout his team to help with ball movement, overall team structure, and tempo of possession play. In Ake, he would have a young defender entering his prime, who has a well-rounded modern skill set, and is more comfortable playing on the left as the ideal partner for William Saliba.

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