Arsenal are expected to be on the market for a new right-back this summer, with Ben White’s future up in the air.
The England international, on his day, is one of the best defenders in the Premier League, but injuries have really hurt him over the last year.
Even though White is fit now, reports have claimed that Arsenal are ready to sell him. If they do, they will need a replacement this summer.
The latest name to come out of the rumour mill is Oscar Mingueza of Celta Vigo.
True or false: Arsenal are a better team when Ben White plays over Jurrien Timber…
Arsenal have been made aware of Oscar Mingueza’s future
Arsenal’s full-backs have a very specific role under Mikel Arteta.
The players who play in that position need to invert depending on the game state, while also having the ability to overlap the winger and deliver crosses into the box.
Arteta’s full-backs are also tasked with making central runs at times, while all the other attackers are marked by the opposition defenders.
The likes of Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie all do the above brilliantly, and the next full-back to join the club will need to be able to do that as well.
BBC Sport have now claimed that Arsenal have been made aware of Mingueza, who has entered the final few months of his contract at Celta Vigo.
Previously a part of Barcelona, where he played 66 times for the Catalans, he is extremely versatile. The 26-year-old can play anywhere across the back four, on the right wing and also in central midfield if required.
The fact that Mingueza will be available on a free transfer in the summer makes him an attractive option, but it remains to be seen if Andrea Berta will make him an offer.
Arsenal should just keep Ben White
White has found himself in a difficult situation at Arsenal.
The Englishman’s quality is unquestionable, but injuries have troubled him, partly due to Arteta overplaying him when Takehiro Tomiyasu and Timber were unavailable.
White looks fit again now, and as he plays more, we are convinced that he will return to his usual level, which is higher than that of most other right-backs in the world.
Unless Arsenal get a big offer for White or he asks to leave himself, we think Arteta should just keep him this summer.
As good as Mingueza is, we just don’t think he’s on White’s level when the latter is fully fit.
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