Arsenal’s 5 current right-back transfer targets – ranked

3. Zeki Celik – Lille

Age: 24
Nationality: Turkish
Contract Expiry: 2023
Price Tag: £13m

The most recent of the options on Arsenal’s list of targets, it was only a matter of time before Zeki Celik became linked with sides across Europe. He had a magnificent season out with Lille in Ligue 1, playing a pivotal role in their glorious title win.

It’s customary for Lille to sell successful assets in the summer, just ask Arsenal. The ‘Welcome to north London Zeki Celik skillz + goals in 4K’ YouTube videos will already have been pieced together in their hundreds.

Why do Arsenal want Celik? Because he’s good at pretty much everything. These days the desire for attack-minded full-backs usually results in an imbalance where whenever they’re tasked with defending they crap themselves. Too many this day are top or bottom heavy, in that regard.

The Turkish defender is 24 years old now and the encouraging aspect of his signing is how he’s improved upon each season – no stagnating. 2020/21 was by far his best, clocking up four goals and two assists across the campaign and demonstrating his superb pressing qualities in abundance.

Operating high in Lille’s style, almost like a right midfielder out of possession, he give the opposing wingers and full-backs no time on the ball. 5.31 successful pressures per game has him in the top 94th percentile, yet it’s his pressing in general that is such a valuable asset. His goal threat and forward support is strong, but the intelligence of his pressing runs is something Arsenal have sorely lacked.

Sustaining periods of pressure has been one of the Gunners’ Achilles heels. Moves break down and the period of ball recycling is slow and easy for the opposition to take up shape against. Someone who can counter-press and/or aid in winning the ball back further up the pitch would be hugely welcome.

Furthermore, that season that prompted Arsenal to sign Nicolas Pepe? Celik was the right-back behind him. That’s a partnership worth rekindling, especially for a nominal £13m fee.