Three John Stones alternatives who can solve Arsenal's William Saliba problem

Arsenal are considering signing John Stones as a potential solution to their William Saliba problem, with the Frenchman expected to miss several months of action with a back injury.

While the official prognosis hasn't been made, or at least hasn't been made public, the mood music around the setback isn't positive. By all accounts, Saliba may have to undergo surgery, which could mean he's unavailable until the new year.

The Gunners are subsequently exploring short-term options on the market so that they can cope in the absence of one of the world's best centre-backs. Stones has been mooted as a target, and his status as a free agent makes it an appealing deal for Andrea Berta logistically.

However, for a multitude of reasons, including his injury record, his declining performance levels and likely wage demands, the Gunners ought to steer clear of the England international.

With that said, here are three potential alternatives the Gunners should be looking at.

Jon Martin

Alongside Stones, Ezri Konsa has been linked with a switch to Arsenal, although Aston Villa's purported £60 million valuation is likely to deter Berta from making a serious move for the Englishman. Regardless, if the Gunners are intent on splashing serious cash on a centre-back, they should look at acquiring a young player with greater upside.

Real Sociedad's Jon Martin fits this profile. The 20-year-old broke into the Basque club's first team at the back end of the 2024/25 season and has since become a mainstay for his boyhood club.

Dominant aerially, winning 3.36 aerial duels per 90 minutes, and composed in possession, Martin is one of the most highly rated young centre-backs in La Liga. He has the tools to thrive in a Mikel Arteta system built on control through possession and set-piece threat, making him the perfect fit for what the Gunners are looking for.

While the Spaniard is certainly not the finished product yet, which does mean the deal incurs an element of risk, Arsenal need to start succession planning for life without Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, and Martin allows them to do so.

Jacobo Ramon

Similarly to Martin, Jacobo Ramon is an aerially impressive young centre-back excelling for a team performing at a higher level than expected. The 21-year-old Spanish defender enjoyed his first season in senior football last term, starting 30 Serie A games for Cesc Fabregas' Como, who qualified for the Champions League against the odds.

While Ramon shares some of the physical traits Martin possesses, he is much more influential in possession. Where Martin is cautious and secure on the ball, Ramon is much more involved and attempts more risky line-breaking passes.

Arteta would need to hone the youngster's game, but the potential is sky-high. Reliable source HandofArsenal has reported Arsenal's interest, although Como are said to be unwavering in their stance that Ramon isn't for sale.

That said, the Gunners should at the very least test the Italian side's resolve with a substantial offer.

Nathan Collins

If Arsenal are intent on signing more of a sure-thing plug-and-play defender, like the links to Konsa and Stones suggest, then they should take a look at Brentford's Nathan Collins.

The Gunners were linked with Collins last summer, so background work will have been done around the Irishman. While his signing wouldn't set the pulses of Arsenal supporters racing, the 25-year-old is an established Premier League player playing at a club that competed for a European place last season.

Unlikely to cost a fortune, Collins would be a sensible addition to make, and wouldn't block the development of Cristhian Mosquera long-term, like a Ramon or Martin might. Brentford paid a club record fee of £23 million for the former Stoke City man back in 2023, so they're likely to want to fetch a profit, but a deal should be doable at below £40 million.

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