Arsenal need to strengthen in both full-back positions ahead of next season. The lack of depth in this area of the field was a major reason why the Gunners failed to qualify for the Champions League towards the end of the last campaign as the opposition would target that area.
It seems Arsenal are already looking to improve at left-back, as according to The Athletic, Arsenal's priority is Martinez due to the 24-year-old's ability to play at centre-back and left-back. Martinez is reportedly keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium, and Ajax are rumoured to have rejected a bid in the region of £25million.
Despite looking to strengthen the left-side in the transfer market, Mikel Arteta will not need to do that for the right-hand side if he can persuade Hector Bellerin to stay at the club, as he would certainly be a better back-up for Takekiro Tomiyasu than Cedric Soares.
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Keeping Bellerin at the club could be in Arteta’s thoughts. During Arsenal’s behind close doors friendly against Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon, Bellerin was assigned as the club captain. This is surprising considering the Spaniard had been away from the club for a year and has been destined for a permanent move away.
This could be a useful persuasion technique by Arteta as Bellerin would certainly increase the quality of the defensive line for the Spaniard going into next season. He is currently the longest-serving player at the club which highlights he has the necessary experience and can provide some leadership for the youngsters in the team.
Despite the excellent acquisition of Tomiyasu from Bologna in a bargain £19.8m deal, Arteta’s side still requires another right-back in the squad. Due to the sale of Calum Chambers, it means that Tomiyasu has been left with little competition for his spot, with the Japan international showing himself to be prone to injury problems in his debut campaign at the Emirates.
Cedric Soares has been utilized as Tomiyasu’s back-up this campaign, but his performances have shown that he is not at the level that is required for Arsenal to be competing for a regular place in the Champions League. The Portugal international needs to be replaced by a more reliable full-back.
Bellerin would certainly be the ideal answer to the full-back problems which could hamper the Gunners going into the new season. However, it will not be easy to persuade him to stay.
It seemed a certainty that Bellerin would make the permanent switch to Real Betis after spending a year on loan at La Liga, but a deal never managed to materialise. Now, according to Spanish news outlet ElDesmarque, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal have begun contact about a potential transfer for the Spaniard.
Despite the interest in the full-back, the decision to assign Bellerin captaincy in the first pre-season game of the season could highlight Arteta’s intentions to keep him. Bellerin still has a lot to offer at Arsenal.
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