Arsenal Considering Ryan Bertrand as Left-Back Cover

Arsenal have drawn up a list of left-back options this January including Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand.

Sending Sead Kolasinac out on loan to Schalke 04 was rightly deemed a wise move for all parties. The Bosnian’s form plummeted drastically following an impressive early spell in north London, culminating in all his ‘shop window’ chances leaving broken glass all over the Emirates carpet.

His temporary switch back to Germany was as good as Arsenal could muster in the January window, and while the loan fee and wage sharing helped the cause, a permanent departure would’ve been preferred. The hope remains that this will take place in the summer.

With Kieran Tierney the undisputed first choice left-back, the options in his stead pose less inviting alternatives. Hardly a reassuring option, at least Kolasinac possessed a left foot (this is debatable) with Ainsley Maitland-Niles not the adequate cover Arsenal are after.

Arsenal consider January move for Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand

Now spaces are being freed up in the squad, fresh blood can be targeted this window. A number of options are on the Gunners’ list, including Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand.

Hardly falling under the ‘fresh blood’ tag, the Evening Standard have confirmed that he is under consideration in north London as a potential backup to the Scottish international.

Bertrand is the Saints’ only senior left-back and is currently stalling on a new deal at St Mary’s. Anyone having Cedric Soares flashbacks needn’t rub their eyes, since he too has just six months left on his deal at present.

Locked in talks with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side over a new deal, the full-back is said to be happy to remain on the south coast, although potential offers from a club of Arsenal’s standing are sure to entice.

Any move would have to wait until the summer as the Saints do not want to let their first choice left-back leave mid-season, with a reassessment due at the end of the campaign.