It just wouldn't be an Arsenal summer transfer window without Mikel Arteta eyeing defensive reinforcements amid fresh links to Ajax star Lisandro Martinez.
In his two summer windows as Gunners manager, the Spaniard has overseen the arrivals of Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares, Gabriel Magalhaes, Benjamin White, Nuno Tavares and Takehiro Tomiyasu at the Emirates Stadium, and reports suggest he wants to add another name to the list.
As per, The Athletic, Arsenal - who have already signed Marquinhos from Sao Paulo and are closing in on deals for Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira - have decided their next summer transfer priority is to sign Martinez due to the 24-year-old's ability to play at centre-back and left back.
READ MORE: Who is Lisandro Martinez? The £35m-rated star who is Arsenal 'priority' defensive target
In addition, the report states that the Gunners have already seen a bid in the region of £25million rejected by Ajax, although they are expected to return with an improved offer in the knowledge that Martinez is said to be keen on a move to North London.
And the Argentina international's injury record just might explain why Arsenal are keen to reach an agreement with the Eredivisie champions for his signature as he could prove to be the perfect squad player for the upcoming season especially if Nuno Tavares departs and leaves Kieran Tierney without any competition.
As important Tierney is to Arsenal, his injury record is a concern. He arrived at the Emirates injured, saw his first season disrupted with a dislocated shoulder, has had extended spells in the treatment room over the past two campaigns and overall has missed 48 games for the club, as per transfermarkt.
Compare that to Martinez's record and it makes for very good viewing. In his career, he's missed 10 games because of injury and eight of those occurred towards the end of last season as a muscle injury kept him out of action for 62 days, which is the most amount of time he's spent in the treatment room.
What will encourage Arsenal fans and Arteta is the fact that Martinez has, for the most part, managed to steer clear of any long-term injuries so his consistent availability means he can step in for Tierney when the Scot needs a breather or if his injury nightmare strikes again next season.
