Arsenal Transfer Rumours: One Position Left to Fill

Arsenal have been busy this January, on and off the pitch. Victory over Southampton on Tuesday was as enjoyable as it was necessary, added to by the loan signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid until the end of the season.

Announcing the Norwegian’s temporary arrival with supporters still gleaming from ear to ear after the previous night’s excursions capped off what’s been an excellent month for the club, one only tainted by a limp exit from the FA Cup.

There have been three permanent departures from north London for players who weren’t earning any playing time, as Matt Macey, Sokratis and Mesut Ozil all bid farewell to the club in some capacity.

Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba have gone out on respective loans with only one expected to return, most preceding the arrivals of two new signings.

Arsenal’s transfer business is one position away from being complete

Mat Ryan comes in as smart backup for Bernd Leno, with Odegaard set to play a key role in supporting the other attacking players in the squad and fighting for a place in their stead. Even just as cover, both are wise acquisitions.

Which leaves just one space left to fill: left-back.

After watching Cedric Soares play his best game for the club in that position against the Saints, maybe it isn’t as essential as originally thought? With Kolasinac gone there is a space to be filled which Cedric has shown himself capable of filling.

The above is true but also based off a sample size that doesn’t account for different opponents, injuries, fatigue and balance. Take nothing away from Cedric, his performance was superb, but the game suited him tactically.

Kieran Tierney is the only left-footer who can play that role, one Bukayo Saka, while adept, should be nowhere near. He provides the natural width, balance and technical ability needed to fulfill both aspects of the position on that flank.

What Cedric has gladly evidenced is that a new left-back is not essential. However, just because it isn’t of paramount importance doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be explored and acted upon if possible.

Who Arsenal Could Sign at Left-Back

It isn’t so much a case of ‘who’ anymore as much as it is ‘how’.

Given the lack of creative midfield options the club possesses, bringing in another player in that position wasn’t as troublesome. Whoever came in wasn’t going to be resigned to the bench for the whole six months and would be granted playing time, either as a No. 8 or and a No. 10.

That isn’t to say finding the right profile, at the right price, who was available and came almost risk free was in any way easy. It wasn’t, and the club got the best option available in the market.

Finding a left-back for six months who is not only willing to warm the bench but also talented enough to suit the needs required in the current system is arguably more difficult.

With others brought in there will have to be further outgoings if they are not homegrown, and even so it results in someone following the Sokratis route.

Arsenal have inquired about Jordan Amavi of Marseille as per L’Equipe, while the rumours persist around Ryan Bertrand and Tyrick Mitchell. The latter two seem unlikely this month given both parent clubs’ standpoints.

If the right deal is out there then it has to be pursued. Cedric, as good as he’s been, can’t be expected to sustain that level of performance in an unnatural role on a consistent basis. As it stands now, him and Hector Bellerin will battle it out for the right-back slot and provide each other with genuine competition.

Seeing him perform as well on the opposite flank offers reassurances that if no left-back arrives it won’t cause widespread panic. Doesn’t mean Arsenal shouldn’t act if they can, though.