Arsenal: Max Aarons, Tariq Lamptey and 4 potential Hector Bellerin replacements

With the rumours that Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have rekindled there interest in Hector Bellerin, the summer would be an opportune time for Arsenal to cash in on the long-serving Spaniard.

Even without the rumoured interest it’s become more evident that Mikel Arteta needs an upgrade in the right-back area, as Hector Bellerin is no longer up to the job on a consistent basis and has declined over the last two seasons, failing to rediscover his 2018/19 form.

This has partly been impacted by the injuries he has sustained, and without his pace returning fully, his limitations have been exposed.

With no signs of improvement, he sadly doesn’t look like the player he seemed destined to become five years ago.

4 potential Hector Bellerin replacements for Arsenal including Max Aarons and Tariq Lamptey

Being frequently caught out of position, easily bullied, poor defending in transition and limited in attack are just a few of the faults I could mention, making him a major scapegoat for fans after our recent results. At 25 years old he’s still a good age and Arsenal will get decent money as he has over two years left on his deal, all of which can be invested well into the team.

Ideally, a right-back. Here are some options to replace him.

Tariq Lamptey – Brighton

It’s been quite a rise for the ex-Chelsea man since he moved to the Amex Stadium last winter, where he has established himself as one of the most promising (and exciting) right-backs in the division ever since.

There are a lot of similarities between Tariq Lamptey and Bellerin when he first burst into the Arsenal team. His main strengths lie with his relentless attacking style, while his pace and dribbling are a key source for most of Brighton’s attacks in Graham Potter’s wing-back system.

Due to his sheer pace he can provide threatening width in advanced where his superb one-on-one ability crossing technique can be utilised.

In terms of negatives, although his pace can help him recover if he’s caught out of position, his size and stature hinder him physically and he is guilty of being too ambitious offensively, which would be an ever greater issue were to he line-up in a back four as opposed to having an extra centre-back to cover.

As revealed, he is among the targets Arsenal have in mind should Bellerin move on.

Noussair Mazraoui – Ajax

Another product of the legendary Ajax youth system, Noussair Mazraoui is tipped to have a big future in the game with a move to one of the top five divisions in Europe mooted.

As a full-back in a free flowing Ajax setup he is adept at tucking infield and taking up a a central midfield position – much like Bellerin does under Mikel Arteta – where he can seek out passes through the lines or burst through them himself.

The Dutch-born Moroccan is comfortable playing high and wide just as he is cutting inside, often striking a fine partnership centrally with the offensive No. 10. Granted h’s not brilliant at beating his man on the overlap, but when finding the right spaces is solid at taking advantage of the opportunity presented.

Like most modern right-backs, defensively there is room for improvement. However, in terms of those available he is certainly stronger and more well-rounded than most and has no outright weaknesses.

Come the summer he’ll have two years left to run on his Ajax deal and at 23 years old, could provide a valuable long-term option.

Achraf Hakimi – Inter

This rumour has been swirling around despite the hopeful nature of it. Arsenal scouts have recommended Achraf Hakimi – I could have recommended him, to be fair – who is rumoured to be available for £40m given the financial difficulties at Inter have resulted to turmoil at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

Hakimi has enjoyed an impressive debut campaign with Inter, scoring six goals and laying on six assists in 31 appearances from the full-back position, firmly establishing himself into one of the finest of his kind in Europe.

Capable of playing on both flanks, as a wing-back or full-back or even further forward, his explosive style is unrelenting and he is a huge threat for any opposition, often finding himself furthest forward of any Nerazzurri player.

His footballing brain is exemplary, always finding himself in the right place at the right time at both ends of the pitch. If Arsenal want someone who can contribute in the final third and complement Bukayo Saka, Hakimi’s statistics over the last three years read as 23 assists and 18 goals. Frightening numbers.

Hakimi is likely to be in demand this summer if Inter’s financial issues don’t lessen, with fellow big-hitters sure to keep and eye out. However, if a cash-plus-player deal could be arranged, there is always hope.

Max Aarons – Norwich

If Arsenal do opt to sell Bellerin, key in their thinking will be to replace him with another homegrown player. With Calum Chambers, Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock among those who could be moved on in the summer, the number of English players in the squad is at risk of dwindling considerably.

Max Aarons has been on the radar of clubs across Europe. Bayern Munich and Barcelona tried to lure him from Carrow Road last summer, while every major Premier League side continues to monitor his progress. Arsenal are no different.

Extremely comfortable on the ball and tactically flexible, Aarons is given freedom to cause just a much damage in the final third as he is preventing it in his own. This risky approach proved fatal in the Canaries’ forgettable Premier League season last campaign, but in the Championship where they dominate most sides, it allows Aarons’ qualities to sing.

His awareness is excellent, he’s comfortable receiving the ball on the half-turn, in tight spaces or running on to through balls, and he has a wicked delivery, even if it isn’t as consistently accurate as one would like. It need some work. Either way, quite the package for someone only 21 years old.

While only five foot eight inches tall, he’s no pushover and relishes the physical side of the game. He’s much stronger than he looks.