Arsenal are in the market for a centre-back this summer, with Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta eager to find someone who can provide cover and competition for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Gunners duo were overburdened last season, and this resulted in Gabriel sustaining a serious hamstring injury that kept him out for the final two months of the campaign.
Attempting to alleviate this pressure on the pair, Arsenal tried to sign Dean Huijsen earlier this summer, but the Spaniard instead opted to join Real Madrid.
Marc Guehi has emerged as an alternative to Huijsen, with the North Londoners optimistic about landing the England international, who they’ve admired for some time.
However, Guehi is reportedly reluctant to move to the Emirates due to the presence of Saliba and Gabriel, and Crystal Palace would likely demand an excessive fee for a player who would merely be fulfilling a squad role.
Arsenal should sign Nathan Collins instead of Marc Guehi
Reports emerged last week suggesting that Jakub Kiwior may now stay at Arsenal, yet this doesn’t seem to have impacted the Gunners’ desire to add another centre-back to Arteta’s ranks.
Guehi is understood to be one of the more prominent names on Berta’s defender shortlist, although the prospective fee it would take to pry him away from South London probably isn’t worth it.
Saliba and Gabriel are likely to play almost every minute when fit, and thus, less of the transfer budget should be allocated to finding a new central defender.
Instead, Arsenal should consider a move for Brentford’s Nathan Collins.
Arsenal Insider revealed in April that Collins is on Arsenal’s radar, showing that they’re already aware of the defender’s quality and are weighing up potentially pursuing him.
Given he’s likely to be cheaper than Guehi, the Irishman should be prioritised over the Palace captain.
Despite enjoying an excellent season for Brentford, Collins’ stock isn’t as high as Guehi’s, and he’s therefore more likely to accept a squad role at Arsenal than the Euro 2024 star.
The Brentford stalwart demonstrated remarkable durability throughout the 2024/25 season, playing every single available Premier League minute, something Saliba achieved the previous season.
He was the only outfield player to pull this feat off in the English top flight last term, and Arsenal should be looking to recruit robust players like this after enduring an injury-plagued campaign themselves.
Exceptional on the ball, strong in the tackle and good aerially, Collins would be a solid addition to Arteta’s ensemble.
Who is Nathan Collins?
Starting his youth career in Dublin, Collins joined Stoke at the age of 14.
Breaking into the Potters’ senior side in the 2019/20 season when he was just 18, his impressive performances in Staffordshire earned him a move to Burnley in 2021.
| Statistical Comparison 2024/25 (Premier League only) | ||
| Stat | Collins | Guehi |
| Appearances | 38 | 34 |
| Goals | 2 | 3 |
| Assists | 3 | 2 |
| Pass Accuracy | 85.9% | 83.5% |
| Progressive Passes per 90 | 3.34 | 3.94 |
| Tackles per 90 | 1.05 | 1.79 |
| Interceptions per 90 | 0.89 | 0.82 |
| Aerial Duels Won per 90 | 3.08 | 2.00 |
Sean Dyche was a huge admirer of the Ireland international, and despite the Clarets’ relegation, Wolves bought the defender for £20.5 million in 2022.
Spending just a season in the West Midlands, Brentford then broke their transfer record for Collins, acquiring him for £23 million.
He’s now spent two years in West London, and looks ready to make the step up to a higher level.
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