This is the one defensive signing Arsenal must make in summer transfer window

Arsenal are likely to prioritise moves in midfield and attack this summer, but that shouldn't stop the club from making one key defensive signing.

With Jorginho and Thomas Partey poised to depart following the expiry of their contracts in June, we should expect a couple of new midfielders to join the club. Martin Zubimendi has been heavily linked, while reports have emerged suggesting that new sporting director Andrea Berta is a big fan of Bruno Guimaraes. Arsenal are also waiting on Sverre Nypan's decision after his winter tease.

Up top, the Gunners must sign their long-term number nine and refresh their options in wide areas. Nailing those additions will be key for Mikel Arteta's projecting ascending into a championship realm off the back of a 2024/25 campaign hindered by injuries and stodgy final third work.

However, Arteta's project has been built from back to front and there's no way the boss will be neglecting his foundations in the summer window, especially with Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko likely to depart.

Arsenal must push to sign Jorrel Hato this summer

Arsenal have once again impressed defensively this term. William Saliba and Gabriel remain among Europe's premier centre-back partnerships, while Jurrien Timber has proven to be the most reliable of cover options for Ben White. David Raya has also enjoyed an improved campaign between the sticks, even if Matz Sels is currently leading the Golden Glove race.

Myles Lewis-Skelly's emergence has supplied greater steel down the left flank while supplying natural left-footedness which aids the Gunners' work in possession. With Takehiro Tomiyasu missing all but five minutes of the season and the chaotic Riccardo Calafiori having his fair share of injury woes in year one, the teenager's integration has been significant. His performances were rewarded with a maiden call-up to the senior England squad in March.

Kiwior and Zinchenko have played bit-part roles, with the fees they'll likely return surely thrusting them to the chopping block this summer. Arteta is blessed with an array of versatile options capable of performing multiple functions in defence, and the Spaniard should be looking at adding another Swiss Army knife to his backline in order to make up for two potential exits.

Arsenal's interest in Ajax's Jorrel Hato was noted last year, and I'd be stunned if the Gunners weren't in for him this summer.

Caught Offside exclusively reported on Thursday morning that Arsenal are one of four clubs keeping a watchful eye on the Dutchman, with Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Chelsea also scouting Hato.

The 19-year-old has a wealth of experience despite his youth, emerging as an impressive leader of men amid troubled times in Amsterdam last season. In March, Hato becames the youngest-ever player to record 100 appearances for Ajax, and he's played a key role in their improvement under Italian coach Francesco Farioli this season.

The Dutch international is adept in a myriad of roles. He broke through as a centre-back but has been exclusively used as a left-back by Farioli. His role is conservative, but Hato does have a license to advance and contribute in the final third. He has eight Eredivisie goal contributions this season, including six assists.

Hato stands out more for his leadership, willingness to take responsibility, and metronomic ability in possession. He's a sound one-on-one defender, too, boasting the requisite athleticism to contain the most explosive of opponents. The kid possesses a rounded skill set and has the intangibles Arteta craves.

He's not a profile Arsenal need right now, but with two full-back options poised to leave and Al Nassr sniffing around for Gabriel, Hato's the man the Gunners must go after if they opt to make a defensive signing.

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