Arsenal: A wishlist for the 2020/21 season

A world-class centre-back

Arsenal have been crying out for a world-class centre-back since and before Laurent Koscielny decided to make a highly unceremonius exit. Despite having six centre-backs in the team, and two more out on loan, the club does not have one elite option. Arsenal don’t need to look far to understand the importance of such a player. Liverpool have been transformed since the arrival of Virgil van Dijk; Manchester City, conversely, are struggling since Vincent Kompany left the fold.

Yes, William Saliba is considered a hot prospect and Arsenal did well to fend off other clubs for his signature last summer. Even then, he will need a few years before he hits his true potential. Arsenal, though, have more pressing matters. Each of their top centre-backs — Sokratis, David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi — are error-prone and have somewhat limited all-around ability.

One of the biggest needs for Arsenal’s upcoming season is a world-class centre-back. The list of transfer targets is huge as usual with Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig and Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen heading the list. One thing is clear, Arsenal will need a world-class centre-back to build a team capable of winning the title.

There are some integral pieces already in place with Bernd Leno excellent in goal and top full-backs in Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney. A commanding, leading, defence-anchoring centre-back would be the final piece in that puzzle.