Arsenal have secured the signing of Eberechi Eze, who will become Andrea Berta’s seventh addition this summer.
The Italian sporting director has been active in the transfer market, moving quickly and decisively to secure several players who will bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Viktor Gyokeres joined for £63 million in a marquee move, while Eze has sealed his switch from Crystal Palace for £67.5 million.
Fabrizio Romano revealed this week that Arsenal could yet sign another player before the window slams shut, and the position they’re looking at has now been revealed.
Arsenal want to sign a left-back
Despite spending in excess of £250 million this summer, Arsenal are not necessarily done in the transfer market.
While another incoming may be dependent on sales, the Gunners are still contemplating strengthening in one final area of their squad.
According to journalist Abdellah Boulma, Berta is looking to add a left-back to Arteta’s ensemble before the transfer deadline.
Jakub Kiwior is the subject of interest from AC Milan and Porto, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is still expected to leave before the end of this month.
If both the Pole and the Ukrainian depart N5, Arsenal would arguably be short on the left-hand side of their defence, and a signing may be needed.
Arteta would have just Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, and Myles Lewis-Skelly at his disposal on the left-hand side of his back four.
While Jurrien Timber can be used on this side, the Dutchman will be required on the right, meaning the Gunners would certainly be stretched.
Riccardo Calafiori won’t be happy about Arsenal targeting a left-back
Calafiori scored the winning goal for Arsenal against Manchester United and impressed generally in the north-west, as well as in pre-season.
The Italian finally appears to be settling in Arteta’s side, showing glimpses of the quality that he demonstrated regularly for Bologna.
Now, however, the addition of another left-back will make his life a lot more difficult.
Losing Kieran Tierney, Zinchenko and Kiwior in the same summer would make another left-back signing justifiable, particularly with Calafiori’s injury track record.
Having said that, the 23-year-old, who has been described by Fabio Capello as ‘intelligent’, is never going to firmly establish himself in Arsenal’s team if new players keep arriving in North London who operate in similar areas of the pitch to him.
Thus, he will have every right to be frustrated if the Gunners spend big on another left-back.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
