Arteta must address key Arsenal flaw as his summer transfer priority, it’s not striker

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Mikel Arteta must make addressing Arsenal weakness in one key area of the pitch his priority in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Arsenal are expecting to be busy in this summer’s transfer window. 

The Gunners are expected to seek reinforcements in various parts of the pitch. Mikel Arteta will know that, no matter how impressive his side have been this season so far, if significant progress is not made yet again this summer then their rivals will soon catch up and overtake them.

The North London club’s search for a new goalscorer has been highly publicised. Arsenal have been linked with a host of strikers. However, Kai Havertz’s impressive recent form in that role could spark a rethink of the club’s summer plans for the position.

Extra depth is required on the flanks. Adequate cover, especially for Bukayo Saka, needs to be sourced. Wolves winger Pedro Neto could be a good fit for this role, and he is admired by Arteta. Though, Arsenal have been warned off signing Neto due to his injury record. 

With Thomas Partey, Jorginho, and Mohamed Elneny all in the twilight years of their careers, the time has come for a midfield rebuild at Arsenal, too. 

Arsenal must make major change at left-back this summer

However, there is one other position that Arteta and sporting director Edu must address as a matter of urgency this summer, and that is at left-back. Although the Spanish coach currently has plenty of options to choose from in that position, none of them fully meet the requirements of what he actually needs from a player in that part of the pitch, to Arsenal’s cost.

Whilst Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares remain on the club’s books, both have been cast out on loan and have no future at the Emirates Stadium. Tierney himself has made it clear that he does not suit Arteta’s tactical approach. 

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior, and Jurrien Timber are all members of the current first-team squad who can play at left-back. 

However, Timber, of course, had hardly kicked a ball this season due to injury and as such can’t really be judged. It is worth noting, though, that the Dutchman has much more experience playing at right-back or in the heart of the rearguard.

Meanwhile, Zinchenko is a defensive liability. The Ukrainian’s fitness record is patchy at best, and his form this season has been underwhelming. Given he lacks the physicality and aerial prowess boasted by the rest of the Arsenal backline, he is regularly targeted as a weak link by opposition sides. 

Kiwior has done a very decent job filling in at left-back this season, despite being a centre-back by trade. However, the Pole’s limitations were exposed against Bayern Munich last time out. He is not yet ready for the very highest level, and offers almost nothing going forward. 

Finally, Tomiyasu has an appalling injury record. Arteta simply cannot rely on the £20 million former Bologna man to be fit and available when needed. On top of that, he is also often required to fill-in at right-back and centre-back.

What Mikel Arteta needs from an Arsenal left-back

None of Arsenal’s current left-back options offer what Ben White does on the opposite flank; namely, a physically dominant presence who can be relied upon to feature week in, week out, whilst making a consistent impact at both ends of the pitch. 

The lack of this on the left not only leaves the Gunners defensively vulnerable in that part of the pitch, but also restricts what the likes of Gabriel Martinelli can achieve in attack. So much of Saka’s success on the right-wing comes down to the support he receives from White, after all.

Until Arsenal can find their ideal left-back, they will continue to be unbalanced as an attacking force and defensively vulnerable.

READ MORE: All Mikel Arteta signings at Arsenal ranked from worst to best