Arsenal set sights on Lee Buchanan as perfect Tierney cover

Arsenal Show Interest in Derby Left-Back Lee Buchanan

Mentioned earlier in the year was the profile of left-back Arsenal were after. For all positions in the squad there has to be competition to raise individuals’ levels, yet at left-back there is nobody available who could legitimately overthrow Tierney.

The 23-year-old is already touted as future captain material, with no facet of his game able to critique other than his injury record, which based on the differing setbacks he’s had, is pure rotten luck.

Unless Arsenal were going to fork out tens of millions on a readily available world class option, Tierney remains the first choice. Further down the line, however, there is scope for change, and what better way to nurture someone into future competition than to learn off the man himself.

Sounding out a young, hungry, homegrown option who can act as his understudy but have enough quality already to be a reliable figure when he plays is the exact profile Arsenal should be, and are, after.

Enjoying a breakthrough season under Wayne Rooney at Derby, 20-year-old Lee Buchanan has been listed by the Daily Mail as someone Arsenal ‘hold an interest in’. He’s started 18 Championship matches for the struggling Rams this season, earning widespread praise despite the perilous position the club find themselves in.

"Rooney said of Buchanan: “He’s a top, top player. I’d argue he’s one of the best young left-backs in the country. And he can go to another level as well….no….he’s a real top player.”"

Extremely composed on the ball and not overawed by regular senior football, his positive and committed attitude stand out among his finer traits. Willing to get stuck into challenges, call for the ball from his centre-backs or make the advances run beyond, he’s a warrior of the Tierney mould.

Attitude is essential for the summer rebuild as quality alone will not rescue Arsenal from their plight. All early signs of Buchanan in the Championship this season tick those boxes.

As with any young defender with minimal matches under his belt, the lack of experience is unavoidable as is the jump up in quality from the second tier. Mobile and agile, two things Xhaka is not, Buchanan does also need to get himself a gym membership, though.

Still some way off being a top player in the Premier League, the Mansfield-born full-back is the profile of signing Arsenal should be making, both to build towards the future and to meet homegrown quota needs, not least with three academy graduates set to be moved on at least. It would be risk-free and inexpensive.

The transfer strategy has to shift from Stop Gap FC or Retirement United. No Ryan Bertrand’s or Willian’s. Buchanan is raw and majorly untested but the right sort of movement in the transfer window that has an eye away from short-termism. It may not be him, but they’re in the right ballpark.