Patrick van Aanholt is Arsenal’s best budget left-back option

Is the summer rebuild losing momentum already? From their reportedly expensive taste in centre-halves to the deafening silence of late regarding potential outgoings, the transfer window has got off to a rather peculiar start for Arsenal.

The Gunners registered the league’s third best defensive record last season and only the ninth most prolific attack, and so fans may feel the rear-guard infatuation is both bizarre and unwarranted. However, the likely departures of Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac indicate backline reinforcements are a priority for the club this month, and one player we ought to consider for the impending left-back vacancy is Patrick van Aanholt.

The need for greater depth in this department was underlined at Hampden Park on Monday, as a “little niggle” left Kieran Tierney sidelined for Scotland’s Euro 2020 opener against the Czech Republic.

Despite only recently celebrating his 24th birthday, the former Celtic man has been plagued by injuries throughout his short career, including during last season’s run-in, and his fitness levels unfortunately can’t be relied upon for the marathon domestic schedule.

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Arsenal should target Patrick van Aanholt to address their left-back issues during the summer transfer window

With Mikel Arteta displaying a preference for his side to attack down the left-wing, it is imperative Arsenal acquire capable alternatives to mitigate Tierney’s probable future absences, and Van Aanholt would certainly fit the bill. Similar to the stricken Scotsman, the Crystal Palace defender possesses good concentration levels and can be a threat in advanced positions, while his industry and pace enable him to cover vast areas of the pitch and provide support in both boxes.

Out of contract at the end of the month and satisfying our demand for homegrown talent, Van Aanholt is an enticing option for a team intent on sparing funds for more pressing areas. However, the player’s budget-friendly availability should come as a warning to Arsenal, with the forgettable stints of his freebie predecessors such as Lichtsteiner, Willian and Kolasinac serving as a reminder that our frugality has traditionally proved to be a fruitless endeavour.

Furthermore, having spent five years at Chelsea from 2009-2014, the Dutchman would become the latest recruit to the club’s growing – yet equally uninspiring – Blues’ retirement home, and he will be turning 31 in August, which suggests he is not a long-term solution to our current full-back woes.

Van Aanholt is not our only option at left-back, however, with another reported candidate for the role being his fellow Blues alumnus Ryan Bertrand. The Southampton veteran perhaps offers better versatility and greater aerial prowess than the Netherlands international, but is a year older and less capable with both feet, and in any case he looks set to join Leicester City this summer.

Meanwhile, Hibernian’s Josh Doig enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Easter Road in 2020/21 and has both a competency in possession and youthful tenacity that make him one to watch for the future, but is completely untested at Premier League level and would need time to adjust to his new surroundings, making him unsuited for the job.

Arsenal’s failure to attain European football means there will be fewer games to complete next season than usual, offering hope that Tierney will be more readily available and therefore any left-back addition would not be heavily relied upon.

However, strength in depth is important and the situation demands a reliable, left-footed and experienced player to step in when required, making Van Aanholt our ideal target.