Arsenal: 4 vital transfers to facilitate final window spending

Right-Back – Hector Bellerin & Cedric Soares

This situation differs from at centre-forward as both needn’t be moved on in order to provide the platform for a starting right-back.

Of the three on the books – Calum Chambers, Hector Bellerin & Cedric Soares – it is the long-serving former Southampton man who features on the ‘keep list’ by quite some margin. No, not that one. Is he Arsenal quality for that position? No. Chambers is certainly a serviceable option and on his good days can be of genuine benefit to the team, but that’s not a weekly occurrence.

In order to move the needle Arsenal need another right-back. It’s a weak spot in the team and beyond the talent of the individual himself, Ben White needs a partner on that side to complement him. It’s no use spending £50m on a centre-back if he can’t reach his own heights due to a lack of quality alongside him.

Of course, selling Bellerin has proven to be some ask for Edu and co. Inter pulled the plug and reports emerged that the Spaniard has not been impressed with how the club have handled his desire to leave. That eventuality is a mutual agreement.

Swap deals with Atletico and Barcelona for Kieran Trippier and Emerson Royal respectively have been mooted, with as of yet no deal in the offing.

As for Cedric, there is loan interest in him. He is more keen on staying and fighting for his place, however.

A new right-back could significantly lift this team. Someone in that department with technical flexibility and greater athleticism to be capable of managing a higher line and helping build in wide and half-space triangles.

Who could that be? It won’t be anyone unless one of Cedric or Bellerin moves on, and especially selling the latter would open an avenue financially and squad-wise for Arsenal to further improve their starting lineup.

Again, if this window it going to be a success it will rely on trimming the wage bill and squad, and adding bodies in the starting lineup who can elevate the team’s overall ability.