Arsenal target sensational swoop for Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig

Do Arsenal Need Ibrahima Konate?

As it stands, Arsenal’s list of right-sided centre backs reads: Rob Holding, David Luiz, Calum Chambers, William Saliba and Konstantinos Mavropanos.

No club anywhere requires having five central defenders on the right side unless they’re regularly adopting a back three. Even then it’s a large number.

As stated, the pursuit of Konate will hinge on developments in the futures of three of the above; Luiz is out of contract in the summer and a renewal isn’t certain; Chambers is a fringe player at best and on course to be moved on, while Mavropanos is tied down long-term and garnering rave reviews in Germany meaning Arsenal could scoop a tidy profit for his signature.

With that in mind, it would potentially leave Arteta with Holding and Saliba, the latter of whom has been regularly stated as having a huge future in the club but is nonetheless untested at Premier League level and only 19 years old.

Holding has had a superb season, one that has contributed to a vastly improved defensive showing, but he is not an elite defender. Solid? Yes. That doesn’t mean he can’t be upgraded, though.

In theory this indicates that centre-back will be of need, yet Arsenal have countless other areas to tend to including goalkeeper, left-back, potentially a right-back if Hector Bellerin leaves as expected, central midfield, attacking midfield and very likely a striker, too. Many of these positions are arguably more important in the context of the rebuild.

Due to that, a centre-back could wait. They have to prioritise the gaping weaknesses first. However, as a supporter it’s reassuring to see the club aiming high in the transfer market for players of Konate’s ability – he’s quick, strong, tall, fiercely competitive and continuously improving in possession. An exciting summer awaits.