Arsenal to miss out on 2 left-back targets – priorities shift

With so much to undertake at Arsenal this summer, deciding what comes first on the to-do list is an important step towards setting a plan in motion that can be effectively achieved, or at least aimed for. Midfield has been the main talking point, followed closely by full-backs.

The situation alongside future captain Kieran Tierney is a fairly obvious one. All alone in that department unless Sead Kolasinac has a miraculous remontada and rediscovers his 2016/17 Schalke form, a backup is sorely needed.

On the right flank the situation isn’t entirely certain. Hector Bellerin will leave this window in search of pastures new and his replacement will need to be found, although with Arsenal likely to exercise the extra year option in Calum Chambers’ contract they may feel that position isn’t the most urgent. And, if possible, will move Cedric Soares on. Unlikely, though.

Finding the man to come and play second fiddle to Tierney is proving very troublesome. Even with a full summer to do business, scouting someone to come in and convincing them that their future will be as an understudy, especially with no European football to supplement that, is not an easy negotiation to have.

Arsenal to miss out on 2 left-back targets in summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta’s priorities shift to other positions

Tierney is due to sign a new five-year deal and is the first name on the team sheet. Telling someone they have to sit around and wait for him to lose form, which won’t happen, isn’t a convincing reason to join the club. Any player willing to fulfill that role already has question marks surrounding them.

That said, his injury issues don’t seem to fade, despite the variety, and that could play into discussions. Not these two discussions, though.

As per football.london’s Chris Wheatley, neither Ryan Bertrand nor Josh Doig look like making their way to north London this summer.

The former was a target back in January for the exact same purpose of this window, but looks set to join Leicester where European football has swayed his mind. As for Doig, an entirely different profile of left-back, it appears as if the opportunity to be first choice will prevent him from joining Arsenal.

Highly rated up at Hibernian, other clubs are due to win the race. Both are listed as ‘unlikely’.

Additionally, it’s added that Arsenal appear to be focusing their attentions elsewhere. The aforementioned planning has put central midfield and centre-back at the top of the list, with two deals in those departments edging closer with Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White expected to be the first arrivals of the summer.

It remains that Arsenal are eyeing a younger profile of left-back, although one player away at the European Championships could persuade them otherwise. As noted, Patrick van Aanholt remains an option that the club could pursue later in the window if their efforts for a young option are futile.

Out of contract at Crystal Palace (who isn’t?), homegrown and Premier League experienced, Arsenal have strapped on a reserve parachute. Equally, as the window carries on, Van Aanholt will be wanted elsewhere.

These are the deals Arsenal have to be moving away from. However, it may be that this is one particular corner they feel has to be cut given the workload at hand.