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Will Arsenal actually sign a right-back in the summer?

By Ross Kennerley

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Calum Chambers of Arsenal has a drink during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on March 6, 2021 in Burnley, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Calum Chambers of Arsenal has a drink during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on March 6, 2021 in Burnley, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Cedric Soares
Arsenal’s German-born Portuguese defender Cedric Soares (R) congratulates Arsenal’s Spanish defender Hector Bellerin after he scores his team’s third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United. (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Will Hector Bellerin be Replaced by Arsenal?

Arsenal fans are known for having lifetime pass for the hype train. It’s commonplace across football but the main station would be situated somewhere in Islington if it wasn’t completely made up.

Chambers’ two good performances have brought him back into first team contention, and while impressive showings are rightly heralded, it’s yet to be seen over a longer run of matches. Cedric is a good backup option that can certainly be upgraded if we’re looking at areas of improvement across the first XI, but he’s still first choice in most supporters’ eyes.

Can Arsenal do better? They absolutely can, and, tactically, none of the two have proven themselves to be the auxiliary central midfield option with bags of technical ability that Arteta is after; Chambers has obviously played as a defensive midfielder but the demands differ from this role; Cedric has shown signs of encapsulating the tactics Arteta wants, and that may sway his decision.

Looking at how to take Arsenal to the next level starts with seeing which areas of the squad can be improved. Right-back is one of them. The signing of someone like Tariq Lamptey or Emerson Royal would add diversity in attacking phases for Arsenal, while defensively there is stability there.

However, with limited funding it wouldn’t be surprising to see Arsenal not sign a right-back in the summer, even if Bellerin leaves and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who won’t come back and play in that position again, joins him.

Regardless of European qualification for next season, Arsenal look set to throw their eggs into the Martin Odegaard basket with another central midfielder, left-back and striker also high up the list. Financially they won’t be able to satisfy all of their needs, and working their way down if corners need to be cut it may well be at right-back.

dark. Next. Buendia AND Odegaard?

Should Chambers continue to impress – Cafu, sorry – and Cedric uses his international outings as a springboard for a strong finish to the season, an outcome where that pair take Arsenal into the start of the season wouldn’t be unheard of.

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