Arsenal Transfers: 4 full-backs the Gunners should target this summer

With Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney in the starting XI, a case could be made for Arsenal being the third-best team in the Premier League last season.

But, their respective injury woes meant that the solid but distinctly unspectacular Cedric Soares and the awfully raw Nuno Tavares emerged as protagonists for Mikel’s Gunners down the stretch.

Arsenal were a far cry from their most scintillating iteration when either Tomiyasu or Tierney were missing, and their stuttering form to conclude the campaign highlighted the need for further reinforcements at full-back.

The club are said to be content with their options at right-back heading into the summer, but Tavares’ potential loan move away should mean we see a new left-back drafted in. A player capable off both flanks and adept off both feet would be ideal, but such specialist profiles are rare – even during a time where ‘positions’ have been reduced to mere functions.

4 full-backs Arsenal should target this summer

Nevertheless, the club does have a few options. So, without further ado, here are four full-backs Arsenal should target this summer.

Aaron Hickey

Following a quiet debut season at the Renato Dall’Ara, Aaron Hickey emerged as one of Serie A’s standout young stars in 2021/22.

The Bologna wing-back scored five times in the league, as Sinisa Mihajlovic made the most of the teenager’s versatility. Hickey lined up down the left 30 times and six times off the right last season.

His ambipedality has undoubtedly caught the eye of Arteta and Arsenal are said to be keen on signing the Scottish international in a €25m deal this summer. He may well be the club’s first signing of the transfer window.

There’s a lot to like about Hickey, including his technical security under pressure, contribution to the build-up phase, smart off the ball movement and shooting threat from distance with both feet. Although, his crossing has come under some scrutiny. The Scot’s 0.29 completed crosses per 90 minutes last season ranked 150th in Serie A.

Despite some stylistic disparities, Hickey could develop into Arsenal’s answer to Ivan Perisic, who recently completed a move to those folk down the road.

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