Arsenal: Axel Disasi may be better than William Saliba

Arsenal is eyeing up another Ligue 1 centerback to pair with William Saliba, and for Axel Disasi, he may be even better than the newcomer.

Being linked to another Ligue 1 player is kind of… meh. But another centerback? Yes, please. Arsenal has recently sprung to the forefront of the chase for Reims centerback Axel Disasi. Disasi has been the anchor of a resolute and damn near impenetrable Reims defense and he is shaping up to be a defender who, dare I say, may be even better than William Saliba.

Arsenal spent £27m to bring Saliba in for the longterm of this defense, but they’re looking at spending another £15m to bring in Axel Disasi for a five-year deal. And while this is a sudden development, it’s coming on hard and fast now that it’s here.

Disasi has a lot in his favor. For starters, as mentioned, he is the anchor of a Reims defense that has only given up 21 goals in 28 matches. Only last-place Toulouse have scored fewer goals than Reims, but through the power of defense—and Axel Disasi—they are sitting in fifth place.

Disasi is a beacon of a defender. He boasts a thicker physical frame than Saliba and while he’s three years Saliba’s senior—almost to the day—he may prove to be the better investment, should we make the move.

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According to the same rumor, Disasi was the subject of an Arsenal approach in December, but they had their approach rebuffed. Undoubtedly because Disasi is, in fact, so vital to their fortunes this year.

He’s just got one year left on his contract now, and if he doesn’t want to stay, they are going to want to cash in now, and for a guy with just a year left on his deal, £15m may be the winning bid.

This is a defender that does so many of the things that Mikel Arteta wants from his defenders and, not just that, he is already doing them. Saliba is a long play. An investment for the future that we hope can pay dividends in the present day. The Saint-Etienne fortunes are not quite as good as Reims. By not quite, I mean not at all. They’re floating just above relegation and their defense is nothing like that of Disasi and Reims.

As I always say, you can only make the most of what you’re given. Disasi is doing exactly that. better even than Saliba.

Don’t get me started on not getting too excited before a move happens, but anyone that is shining even more than Saliba is worth getting excited about.