John Stones could end up being Arsenal’s experienced signing this summer as Mikel Arteta weighs up his options.
Big money signings are expected to arrive but in defence, William Saliba’s injury has forced Arsenal to look into the market and crucially, at potential free agents.
Stones is free to find a new club after leaving Manchester City and Arsenal are looking at a potential deal to bring the England man to The Emirates.
One of the interesting elements of this deal is Mikel Arteta’s relationship with Stones having spent time at both Everton and Man City together.
Indeed, according to reports, that relationship is playing a key role in Arsenal’s interest.
Hit or miss: Where will Christos Tzolis rank on Mikel Arteta’s list of players signed from outside Europe’s top-five leagues?
Mikel Arteta could be key in Arsenal signing John Stones
Plenty of fans will want to see money spent this summer and big names signed in the process.
However, the addition of a player like John Stones has plenty of benefits. Not only is he a serial winner but he brings an experience and quality that this Arsenal squad does lack right now.
Furthermore, Flashscore report that Mikel Arteta is considered key to any chances of Arsenal signing Stones.
It’s reported that the relationship between Stones and Arteta at the moment is a good one. After being Pep Guardiola’s understudy at Man City, Arteta got to see Stones up close and personal from a coaching point of view.
Stones, of course, is going to have plenty of options to choose from this summer.
Former club Everton are keen, while he has a host of clubs across Europe who could offer him a fresh route out of the Premier League.
For now, though, it feels like Arteta could be key and if Stones is to arrive in North London, the current gaffer will have played a big role.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
