Arsenal: 15 left-back & right-back summer transfer targets

Arsenal require considerable squad surgery. A frightening amount. Running through the team, what is most worrying of all is that the ‘untouchables’ can be counted on close to one hand. As the summer transfer window approaches, only one of those is a full-back. Mikel Arteta is out to acquire more and here are 15 of those targets.

If any evidence was needed that the manager isn’t overly keen with the options at his disposal, the absence of Kieran Tierney through injury prompted Granit Xhaka it fill in that spot for seven consecutive matches. An entire systematic structure followed.

There were others to fill the role, none of which were left-backs. Sead Kolasinac is the only other option and he was busy over in Germany filling in as a holding midfielder.

Then in the Premier League win over Chelsea, Bukayo Saka slotted in at right wing-back with a whole three right-backs sitting on the bench. Calum Chambers, Hector Bellerin and Cedric Soares weren’t favoured.

Arsenal: 15 left-back & right-back summer transfer targets as Mikel Arteta seeks defensive reinforcements

Chambers has been impressive in the position since his return from injury, offering a different profile to his fellow teammates. The jury is still out on whether he’s a viable starting option long-term. As for Bellerin, his time in north London will draw to a close at the end of the season, bringing an end to a decade of service.

Cedric has fallen way down the pecking order since his foolishness against Slavia Prague and while Arteta would like to shift the 29-year-old this summer, he’ll be hard pressed to do so for someone who is third choice right-back and fourth choice left-back in a side embarking on their worst season for decades.

At least one will be acquired for either flank, and among those rumoured – who feature – there are others that the recruitment should be keeping their eye on, or may be doing so anyway. For both left and right-back, here are 15 potential targets for the summer transfer window.

All stats provided by fbref.

Borna Sosa – Stuttgart

Kicking things off with left-backs.

The German club are familiar to Arsenal fans given that former scout Sven Mislintat is now employed over there and, of course, because Konstantinos Mavropanos is currently on loan with the side.

Stuttgart operate with a back three system that incorporates wing-backs, which is where Borna Sosa has been fielded this season. With the club since 2018, the Croatian has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign this term making 26 appearances in all competitions, where his outstanding delivery has, yes really, been compared to that of David Beckham.

It’s obviously a huge stretch but then 23-year-old does boast a wicked left foot that has been a weapon down that flank for the Bundesliga outfit.

Compared to full-backs across the top five European leagues in the past 365 days, he sits in the top 94th percentile and above for assists per 90 mins, expected assists (xA), non-penalty expected goals and assists (xp-xG +xA) as well as shot creating actions (SCA).

His dribbling stats and ball carries per 90 are all in the upper 80’s, with his attacking contributions quite outstanding. Averaging nearly seven crosses per game it’s clear where his assets lie, being a creator from wide areas which is one of Stuttgart’s main avenues to goal. However, defensively there are weaknesses, scoring very lowly for tackles, usually as he’s thrust higher up the pitch.

With a (rough) market value of £10.8m (transfermarkt) and a contract until 2025, his offensive contributions are impossible to ignore.

Lee Buchanan – Derby

Already linked with Arsenal this summer, Derby left-back Lee Buchanan has been one of few bright sparks in an otherwise dismal season for the Rams. Surviving on the final day of the Championship season by the skin of their teeth, they’re set for their own squad overhaul as Wayne Rooney seeks to build a side capable of moving up the second tier.

Supremely composed in possession and full of beans, his energetic displays in what has been a breakthrough campaign for him will surely see him plucked by clubs higher up the football pyramid.

Being English will suit the quota requirements, while he also fits the profile previously mooted.

What Arsenal are embarking on, or at least should be embarking on, is a total reset. A hard one. That means binning contracts to players in their twilight and bringing in hungry youngsters who, with proper scouting, can form part of the club’s medium and long-term future. Players who in four years’ time won’t have their feet up on a beach and instead be developed and either starting matches for the club or providing serious competition.

Equally, if they don’t work out they can be sold on with plenty of their career still to come. Individuals such as Buchanan fit that mould, although his signing would likely another addition while he develops, possibly away on loan.

Ryan Bertrand – Southampton

The other side of the coin.

Arsenal made an offer to Southampton for Ryan Bertrand in the January transfer window but were knocked back by the Saints. Maybe it was sour grapes for not getting Ainsley Maitland-Niles?

At the time the Gunners were desperate for backup in that position and an experienced English operator on a short-term, or at least not four-year long, deal would have been wise business. As per numerous reports, this interest is still strong and with Bertrand announcing he will leave the south coast club at the end of the season when his contract expires, Arsenal ears have perked up.

Free transfer? 30+ years old? Former Chelsea player?!?! Ticks all the boxes. We jest.

Wherever Bertrand moves will be his last ‘big’ move, thus a contract in the region of three years would be expected, by which time he will be 35.

Why Arsenal are going for him makes sense: bags of experience, likely happy to sit on the bench for most of the season, no upfront transfer fee and suits the homegrown quota.

There are understandably a considerable amount of areas to see to and signing Bertrand could in some way be lessening the load. It will be felt that other areas need tending to more, or indeed can be tended to properly this window, and getting this sorted early is one ticked off the box for Arsenal.

It would, however, constitute short-term planning once again. Not looking at the long-term but instead seeking temporary gain. Arsenal already have Willian to warm the bench and collect healthy wages for a few more years, do they really need more?

Owen Wijndal – AZ Alkmaar

"“I am the best left back in the Netherlands. That is my opinion and I think I should be able to say that.”"

Can’t beat a bit of confidence.

Owen Wijndal may claim he’s the best Dutch left-back around, but is he? It’s one hell of a shout but he really isn’t too far off. This season has strengthened his case.

Averaging a 87.4% passing accuracy across all competitions – he’s made no less than 49 appearances this season – the 21-year-old has already earned senior international experience. In his three Dutch outings he has two assists, while in Eredivisie he’s grabbed five in 33 outings.

What is to like about Wijndal is his quality across all facets. He’s a strong tackler, positionally stable and functional in the final third, all key reasons why AZ Alkmaar sit third in the Dutch top-flight table.

At his age with his potential, a move to one of Europe’s top five leagues is mooted for the summer. His confidence matches his ceiling. Under contract until 2023, Alkmaar may feel now is time to cash in.

Robin Gosens – Atalanta

When Leicester signed Timothy Castagne in the previous summer window, many claimed they brought in the wrong full-back from Atalanta.

On the opposite flank sits German Robin Gosens, whose stats may as well be read out in comparison to forwards since they’re quite remarkable. Operating as the left wing-back in the Italian side’s gloriously entertaining system and approach, Gosens’ contributions in forward areas are….worth listing out.

He is in the top 99th percentile for non-penalty goals (0.28) and npxG (0.2) per 90; the top 97% for shots taken and npxG+xA, also averaging 0.19 assists per game. The 26-year-old loves driving into the opposition box, taking just shy of four touches in that area per game, and for build-up play his 6.13 progressive passes per 90 have him in the top 94% for players in his position across the top five leagues.

Someone who always plays advanced, his defensive output sees him make the vast majority of his tackles in middle and final third, which is crucial since Arsenal have struggled to sustain pressure during matches and counter press effectively.

Everything screams ‘sign me’, but at 26 years old there is little chance Gosens would accept playing second fiddle. He’s in his prime.

Can’t beat a man for trying, though.

Josh Doig – Hibernian

Kieran Tierney 2.0, as the lazy comparisons have been suggesting. In fairness, it is also a natural reaction to make to a Scottish left-back linked with a move to Arsenal.

Josh Doig may have penned a fresh deal with Hibernian not long ago but it’s not said to detract potential buyers and there is still every chance he could make the move south this summer. Only 18 years old, the defender has been an ever-present this term, registering four assists and a goal in 24 Scottish Premiership outings.

His attacking qualities are clear with Jack Ross even utilising him as a left midfielder on occasion, such is the quality of his deliveries.

Should Arsenal sign Doig, and they face competition from Manchester City, then it would certainly be as a project addition who would likely have a loan stint elsewhere before returning to north London to become a regular fixture.

Whether Arteta’s side can afford to be buying two left-backs this summer is another matter, since Doig is inexperienced and would be a risky purchase if done with the intention of making him Tierney’s understudy right off the bat.

Romain Perraud – Stade Brestois 29

Taking up the final slot for left-backs is a Frenchman already on the radars of clubs in the Premier League, Romain Perraud.

Openly admitting that he prefers high-risk, entertaining football, the season his side Stade Brestois are having strongly reflect the 23-year-old’s preferences. Only six teams have scored more goals than their 50 in Ligue 1 this season, this despite the club sitting in 14th place. The reason for that being that only two sides have conceded more than their 64 in 36 outings.

If anything, he’d probably suit an ‘I’d rather win 5-4’ Unai Emery than an Arteta.

With three goals and seven assists for Brest this season his goal contribution statistics unsurprisingly rank highly compared to other left-backs across the top five divisions. Also an adept passer, his cross field diagonals are standout strength, so too his thunderous left-footed drives.

Perraud has a market value of £7.2m and is under contract until 2025 having penned an extension as recently as January, a move designed to protect his value with Brest well aware of interest across the continent.

Junior Sambia – Montpellier

Moving onto the opposite flank is a winger who has been moulded into a right-back this season for Montpellier, slotting seamlessly into the role.

Junior Sambia’s name will be familiar of late after it was his missed penalty in the Coupe de France that handed PSG passage into the final after a 2-2 draw. Penalties are completely irrelevant as Arsenal eye full-backs with other qualities, which Sambia has in abundance.

As is the way in modern football, full-backs these days are often judged more on their abilities in the final third, which makes for good reading as far as the 24-year-old is concerned. He averages 0.23 assists per game and nearly five progressive passes per 90, as well as sitting in the top 97th percentile for through balls.

What he brings in an attacking sense is clear, but Arsenal should sign him for the fact he takes good corners above anything else. Goodness me how the side lack a half-decent corner taker.

Being a converted winger and central midfielder, his versatility is a welcome asset. However, having played in multiple positions one of his better traits is his technical composure. His touch is clean and calmness clear to see, while someone who can create from the flank and tuck inside is near enough precisely what Arteta should be after.

Tariq Lamptey – Brighton

The case on Tariq Lamptey has gone cold in 2021. Largely touted as the key target for Arsenal to sign this window, all the talk has died down.

This is almost solely due to the injury he suffered back in March, one that ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

A fantastic defender with the ball at his feet, Lamptey caught the attentions of Premier League audiences with his all-action displays for Brighton. Knock him down and he gets back up even stronger, all with an endearing smile etched across his face.

That battling attitude and explosive driving with the ball is exciting, more than anything, and with age on his side and the all-important homegrown quota to contend with, his signature has become a prized one.

He won’t come cheap, though, with Brighton under no pressure to sell and the 20-year-old having signed an extension in January tying him down to 2025. The Seagulls will sell with the right offer, but ‘right’ tends to mean ‘expensive’.

Achraf Hakimi – Inter

There are two sides to this. Firstly, the interest from Arsenal is real and multiple sources have backed that. Secondly, fat chance.

It would require something quite spectacular for the Gunners to pull this off, namely getting the latest Hawk Eye call ever to deem Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s header against Villarreal to have crossed the line and then the entire Manchester United squad eating some dodgy lasagna.

Inter have just won Serie A and are on cloud nine under the brilliant management of Antonio Conte, with the only way this deal had any legs being because Inter’s owners were looking at selling up and earning a few quid through player sales.

Not being in Europe next season will significantly impact any hopes of signing one of few world class right-backs, before the issue of price is even mentioned.

Figures of £40m have been mooted which are entirely fair for a player of his calibre, yet the north London side are in absolutely no position to spend such sums on one player without serious investment and smart sales. It’d be a large chunk of the budget.

Hakimi doubling up with Bukayo Saka on the right flank, though? Stuff of dreams.

Nordi Mukiele – RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig’s Nordi Mukiele is not a conventional right-back. One quick glance (up) at him and his frame would indicate he’s a midfield destroyer or a commanding centre-back. Despite his height he has neat ball control and is surprisingly technical, adding delicate notes to his usual combative style.

As a below-market signing, he is the ilk of player Arsenal should be aiming for. Well experienced in the Bundesliga, he is still not a regular starter under Julian Nagelsmann and with the manager leaving for Bayern Munich at the end of the season, new ideas will be brought into the club including a potential sale.

Once again versatility of positions make a strong case for Mukiele to be looked into, having played at right-back, right centre-back and right wing-back during his spell in Germany. His goal contributions have been spread out across these positions, this season scooping three goals and two assists in domestic football.

Exceptionally athletic, Mukiele ranks in the 90th percentile or higher for interceptions, tackles, pressures, and aerial challenges won (very pleasant reading), which are encouraging signs for a player who also ranks in the 93rd percentile or above for non-penalty goals and npxG.

With two years left on his contract there is scope for RB Leipzig to sell the Frenchman, although Arsenal could be looking at around £20m for his services.

Zeki Celik – Lille

Lille!?! Never heard of them before!!!

It seems almost customary for Lille to be involved in Arsenal transfer talk, and while there are no solid links to Zeki Celik at present, it would come as no surprise for a few to pop up in the coming months.

Naturally, all eyes are on the French team as they sit in pole position to lift the Ligue 1 title this season, with their exceptional recruitment department and transfer strategies once again working miracles.

Across the pitch they’ve had superb performers, with one of the standout candidates being their 24-year-old right-back. There is a directness to his game, whether from a forward-thinking first touch or positivity in possession. He may need to work on his footing slightly as he can get caught square, while a bit of time in the gym may help, but as an attacking contributor he’s been among the best in the division.

Four goals and three assists in all competitions, including an excellent volley against William Saliba’s Nice, with two years left on his deal this could be time for clubs to pounce. Add in the financial state Ligue 1 clubs find themselves in and a sale would be tempting.

Emerson Royal – Barcelona & Real Betis

The whole co-owned situation is a peculiar one and not something English audiences are used to, but what it does do is put Barcelona in the driving seat when it comes to Emerson Royal’s future.

For their £2.5m share they will bring him back to Nou Camp, where his price tag can be whatever they fancy, with anything constituting a healthy profit. Figures up to £20m have been mooted and given the financial turmoil they find themselves in, they’ll want something big.

Equally, buying clubs can exploit La Blaugrana’s weakness. They need money so a low-ball offer could suffice.

What Arsenal, or any interested club, would be getting is a Brazilian with superb defensive statistics. All major defensive traits have him in the solid 80+ percentile, with his attacking contributions the slightly less desirable aspect.

Eyeing an equally forward thinking right-back as Tierney on the other side, they may think differently with Emerson who is slightly more conservative in possession even if he does play as the further forward option on the right flank in possession.

On the ball he’s tidy, but perhaps more adventure could be desired with his range of distribution. Nonetheless, he’s heavily linked to Arsenal and his comfort tucking inside will be playing a major role in that.

Noussair Mazraoui – Ajax

Strike when the iron is hot. Right now, it’s Amsterdam that is heating up with Noussair Mazraoui heading into the final year of his contract with Ajax.

As far as an upgrade on Belleirn, the Moroccan is just that. This is someone very well-rounded in every third of the pitch.

In possession on the attack, he creates numerous overlaps with quick clever passes in tight areas, utilising finesse on the ball to evade markers and find his teammates in gaps. In the central third, playing as the inverted full-back Arsenal should be after, he uses quintessentially composed Dutch ball control to keep the tempo of moves upm=, while in defence his intelligence shines through in one-on-on duels.

Statistically, he’s a dream.

Mazraoui is in the top 97th percentile or higher for *deep breath* non-penalty goals, npxG, shots on target, progressive passes, passes into the final third, shot creating actions, pressures, tackles won, blocks and tackles + interceptions. There are more but this is the bread and butter. An artisan loaf with freshly churned butter, that is.

Still only 23 years old, this season has been a stop-start one for him due to a nasty eye injury he sustained, which has limited him to just 16 Eredivisie starts this season. If you’re looking for flaws in his game, then his lack of electric pace is the standout. Boasting a mature defensive brain means he can limit this being exploited, but it is the primary issue.

Max Aarons – Norwich

The final name featured is Max Aarons. While 15 full-backs is an extensive list, one that includes other options not mentioned, the Norwich City right-back is perhaps top of the lot.

As the speculation suggests, he is Arsenal’s number one target, too.

Why that is the case is clear. While his dabble in the Premier League last season was anything but fruitful, Daniel Farke’s insistence on having his full-backs pushed so high against vastly superior opposition was one key factor to the Canaries demise.

Yet when you can emerge from such a torrid season with European heavyweights eyeing your signature you know you’ve doing something right.

No defender in English football – and of course he plays in a Norwich side significantly stronger than their Championship opposition – has more touches in the opposition box or successful forward runs than the 21-year-old. With Arsenal looking at a full squad rebuild with youth at the forefront, moving for an Englishman with a ceiling out of sight like Aarons is the primary building block.

Blistering acceleration, a vastly improved final ball, clever use of positioning in defensive positions and with his own trademark shoulder drop move (very reminiscent of Tierney) Arsenal, or any willing suitor, have a right-back here who will become an England senior international. Even with Gareth Southgate’s plethora of options.

There is still work to be done on his defensive side, but at this stage of his career and with his willingness to learn and develop, this can be seen as opportunity, not a limitation.

£30m would constitute a substantial investment in regards to Arsenal’s limited budget. However, that fee is nothing if factoring in what reward that outlay would produce. Tying down the right player ensures the position is solidified for years to come. No more Stephan Lichsteiner’s, Cedric Soares’ or even Mathieu Debuchy’s.

Aarons is a special talent.