Arsenal problem position: Four players who could solve centre-back issues for Mikel Arteta

Arsenal fans have, somewhat unsurprisingly, identified centre-back as Mikel Arteta’s problem position ahead of this summer’s transfer window.

In a Standard Sport poll asking Gunners supporters which area of the pitch was most in need of improvement, almost 50 per cent of voters picked out the heart of the defence.

Though individuals such as Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker have at times excelled, Arsenal have more or less been crying out for defensive improvement since the days of Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure.

Of the current crop, David Luiz arrived in a cut-price deal on deadline day last year and has been first-choice alongside Sokratis, but the pair have never fully convinced and have produced some calamitous moments.

Rob Holding and Calum Chambers have both seen their seasons plagued by serious injuries, while a lack of options in the position has even seen Shkodran Mustafi drafted back in from the cold since Arteta took over.

Here are four options for Arteta to consider ahead of next season…

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One move to strengthen at centre-half was made well before the Spaniard’s arrival in the Emirates dugout, with his predecessor, Unai Emery, agreeing a deal to sign St. Etienne’s Saliba last summer.

The 19-year-old has spent the current campaign back on loan at the Ligue 1 outfit, who have found themselves cast into a relegation battle, not helped by Saliba’s absence for large chunks of the year.

The Frenchman began the season on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, returning in late September to help the team recover from a disastrous start with a run of four wins in five games, only to suffer a metatarsal break that ruled him out until February. His latest return has done little to improve league form, with the side winless in eight, but they have reached the French Cup final for the first time since 1982.

Reviews from France – including from current teammate and former Arsenal man Matthieu Debuchy – suggest the additional season of first-team football has been good for his development, and he is now ready to be an instant starter in north London.

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Another player Arteta could easily have on his books for the start of next season is Flamengo defender Mari, who arrived on loan in January.

The Gunners have an option to make that deal permanent for around £10million and, given the current financial climate, a relatively cheap signing would make perfect sense, while Arteta’s desire to sign a left-footed player in the position is another mark in Mari’s favour.

However, the coronavirus shutdown means the Spaniard has had few opportunities to impress, limited to just two starts so far, though he did keep clean sheets in both games.

Mari has already said he hopes to stay and while Arteta has not committed to anything, he was delighted with what he saw during the 26-year-old’s debut against West Ham: "He’s brave, he’s willing, he’s impressive without the ball and he has a presence,” he said.

“He is very vocal around his team even if he’s only been two days here, but he has that ability and that character. I’m really pleased with him.”

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Upamecano has been a long-term target for the Gunners, with Emery trying to sign him last summer while Arteta considered a January move but was ultimately priced out of a deal.

The 21-year-old’s stock has only risen since then, with his performances helping RB Leipzig muscle in on the Bundesliga title race and reach the Champions League quarter-finals, knocking out Tottenham in the last-16.

The prospect of pairing Upamecano with fellow French youth international Saliba looks a mouth-watering one for Arsenal fans, but again finances are likely to be the sticking point, with French outlet L’Equipe reporting last week that Leipzig will not sell for less than his £53m release clause.

Throw in the fact that some of Europe’s biggest clubs – the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona – are also said to be interest, and this could be one that slips away.

Getty Images

With that in mind, a cheaper option could be yet another Frenchman; Stade Reims’ Disasi, who Arsenal have reportedly been tracking all season.

The 22-year-old will be entering the final year of his contract this summer and the Ligue 1 side appear to have accepted the need to cash-in now, with their asking price as low as £13m.

Up until the final game before the coronavirus suspension kicked in, Disasi had been an ever-present at the heart of the stingiest defence in the French top-flight, playing every minute of the first 27 games of the season.

In that time, Reims conceded just 21 goals – the same number as Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, second only to Real Madrid for the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues – and in fifth-place remain on course for their best league finish since the 1970s.

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