6 Arsenal defensive transfer targets to watch during international break

Much like the World Cup, the international breaks provide the ideal opportunity for fans to watch players they admire. For clubs, it can act as a glorified scouting period where their own performances are of no concern and they can monitor those who may be of keen interest in the upcoming windows. Arsenal will be doing likewise.

As seen with Martin Odegaard, this time of the year can also be fraught with nervousness as key stars are subject to further excursions, usually culminating in injury. There is a mixture of both.

With Arsenal preparing for a substantial summer overhaul with upwards of ten squad members edging nearer the exit door, replacements, or upgrades if you like, will be essential. There are plenty across the continents who could be of service.

In every position there is uncertainty for Mikel Arteta, with the goalkeeper department still subject to change, the full-back positions in need of bolstering and even centre-back depending on outgoings.

6 Arsenal defensive transfer targets to watch during international break as Mikel Arteta plots summer rebuild

Further forward the central midfield slots will be threadbare come the summer, as will the attacking midfield positions if no new deal can be agreed for Odegaard.

In wide areas the Gunners are healthily stocked, yet striker is also likely to require a revamp with three centre-forwards facing uncertain futures.

Arteta unquestionably needs reinforcements all over the pitch, , with plenty of enticing targets set to feature during the international break.

From left-back to striker and everything in between, there are options galore.

Here are six defensive targets to keep an eye out for during the international break.

Max Aarons – Norwich & England Under-21

Arsenal fans will have their eyes peeled on the England Under-21 side for a couple of reasons anyway, as Emile Smith Rowe prepares for his Three Lions debut while Eddie Nketiah will lead the side out as captain for their group stage fixtures of the European Championships.

Behind those two (geographically) in the team is Norwich’s Max Aarons, an exciting young right-back who had been the subject of interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the previous summer.

The Canaries’ woeful relegation set up an expected mass exodus which surprisingly didn’t take place as Norwich did well to hold onto their key stars to launch an immediate bid for a Premier League return.

Aarons fits the bill in terms of age, homegrown status and profile. While there are still areas of his game in need of fine-tuning, such as his final delivery, there is every belief he will become a senior England international in the not too distant future.

The issue is fee. Norwich look certain to return to the top-flight this season which puts them in a position of strength when it comes to keeping hold of their players, so Aarons won’t come cheap. Nonetheless, if next season is as painful as their previous dabble with the Premier League, he’ll be available again and Arsenal could swoop should they decide to keep Cedric and Calum Chambers as their sole pairing for 2021/22.