Arsenal: 3 Premier League targets who aren’t mentioned enough

2. Jack O’Connell

There have been few stories more sensational and surprising than Sheffield United’s forays in the Premier League this season. The team that was the bookies’ favourite to be relegated before a ball was kicked and was in League only three seasons ago is now challenging for a Champions League place.

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At the heart of United’s resurgence has been an excellent defensive record. United have the second-best defence in the league. Only Liverpool have conceded fewer goals thus far and only Liverpool and Burnley have kept more clean sheets. And Jack O’Connell plays a crucial role in the United resistance.

The Englishman plays on the left side of a back three. He is big and burly, like almost all English centre-halves, but he also carries himself with greater poise and precision than many might expect for a ‘traditional’ United defender. Under Chris Wilder, the Blades play superb football. They play out from the back, they push both wide centre-backs into advanced areas to dictate play, surge towards the byline, and contain the opposition. O’Connell has flourished in this role.

Yes, he brings with him a tough, gnarly attitude, something that Arsenal could desperately use, be he is excellent in possession, quick enough to defend vast spaces, and is comfortable in one-on-ones, as illustrated by his willingness to move into wide areas and press opponents. And he provides all of this at 25 years of age.