Arsenal finally have healthy options to build their defense

Mikel Arteta inherited a flawed squad when he was hired as Arsenal manager. Since then, he has been working on putting together a team of his own making. One of the major areas that needed to be addressed was the defense, and while he recently jettisoned Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos, there is still work to be done.

Recent reports are circulating that the Gunners are interested in RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate – the 21-year-old Frenchman is being looked at by a number of European clubs should he become available. Yet, while Arteta is considering his summer options there may be two already under contract with the Gunners.

On-loan defenders William Saliba and Konstantinos Mavropanos are playing well and receiving glowing reviews. This is creating what can only be labeled as a good problem for Arteta.

Signed in the summer of 2019 from Saint-Etienne for £27m, Saliba was loaned back to the French side for the 2019-2020 season then left out of Arsenal’s squads again this campaign with Arteta believing he needed a “transition year”.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta finally has healthy options to build his defense with William Saliba and Konstantinos Mavropanos shining

Now back in Ligue 1, Saliba has drawn widespread praise. The Frenchman has played the full 90 minutes in 11 of his 12 matches, putting in great numbers (via fbref):

• A 91.6% passing accuracy
• 28 tackles & interceptions won
• 16 blocks
• Been dribbled past just once
• 68 clearances

In January 2018, Konstantinos Mavropanos was signed for Arsenal by the former head of recruitment Sven Mislintat. Since then he’s had to deal with injuries and limited playing time with the Gunners, while last season he was loaned out to Nuremberg and is now on a season-long deal with Stuttgart.

Since joining the Bundesliga side, Mavropanos has played 953 minutes, secured a 77.2% pass accuracy, won 67.5% of his aerial duels, made 64 tackles and interceptions, and has also chipped in with an assist.

He has impressed Stuttgart manager Pellegrino Matarazzo who lavished Mavropanos with praise for his performances this season (if you want a good tongue twister try saying Konstantinos Mavropanos and Pellegrino Matarazzo together).

"“He’s our gladiator! He’s a monster in terms of physique, and when he makes a mistake, he hums around some Greek swear words. I like that. He’s just a tough dog.”"