Following the injury to Jurrien Timber, Arsenal should act fast to sign Ivan Fresneda.
Arsenal’s season took an early hit with summer signing Jurrien Timber sustaining a serious knee injury on the first day of their Premier League campaign.
The Gunners are set to be without the Dutchman for a significant period, and Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu are considering a return to the transfer market to cope with Timber’s absence.
If the Arsenal hierarchy do decide to splash the cash as a consequence of the 22-year-old’s injury, then they should seriously consider making a move for Ivan Fresneda.
Why Pele Is Overrated.
Arteta and Edu have already previously identified Fresneda as a target, and made efforts sign him earlier this summer, as reported by German publication Bild.
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
Arsenal must now finally land Fresneda
The Gunners have had a long-standing interest in Fresneda, and it is easy to see why. The 18-year-old right-back looks like the ideal fit for Arteta’s system at the Emirates Stadium. The teenager is excellent on the ball, makes intelligent attacking runs, and defends diligently. At 6’0” and powerfully built he also has the physicality that the Spaniard prizes in his defenders.
Fresneda established himself in La Liga with Real Valladolid last season, and already looks capable of testing himself at Premier League level. If Arsenal could secure his services this summer then he would be able to fill a concerning gap in the Gunners’ squad.
Whilst Timber was playing at left-back when he got injured, he would likely have gotten plenty of game time on the right-hand side of Arsenal’s defence this season. He was brought in to compete with Ben White for that role.
With Timber injured, the only natural back-up option for White still available to Arteta is Takehiro Tomiyasu, who may also be called upon to fill in at left-back or in the heart of Arsenal’s rearguard.
There is now a need to bring in an additional option to support White at right-back and Fresneda is the ideal candidate.