Arsenal’s centre-back plans for summer window & next season revealed

An insight into how Arsenal’s centre-back department could look come the start of 2022/23 has been provided on Friday.

First up, The Athletic have reported that William Saliba is expected to remain at Arsenal for the 2022/23 campaign.

However, despite Saliba’s presence giving Arsenal a number of options at centre-back for the forthcoming campaign, it is reported that, although not of the utmost priority, a new left-footed centre-back remains of interest.

Arsenal pursued a deal for Nico Schlotterbeck in January but the Germany international wanted to remain in the Bundesliga and is now set to join Borussia Dortmund.

The Athletic add that there have been inquiries after Ajax’s 24-year-old Argentina international Lisandro Martinez this summer.

So, even if Saliba does stay, which seems likely, a left centre-back could still be signed, but only if it is a particularly good market opportunity.

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In turn, Arsenal are expected to be using Gabriel, Ben White, Saliba and Rob Holding as their main centre-backs next term, with Takehiro Tomiyasu also capable of filling in at centre-back if required.

If William Saliba is headed back to Arsenal, where exactly will he fit in?@TheAthleticUK used data & video to compare him to existing #AFC centre-halves.

🔺Seen as RCB
🔺Ball carrying ability comparable to White
🔺Still can improve in one-to-one duelshttps://t.co/i0v7ZtHIjM

— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) June 17, 2022

Where do Arsenal need to improve?

Arsenal appear to be closing in on a move for Fabio Vieira, who would be their first signing of the summer and would provide cover for the likes of Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe.

Elsewhere, Arsenal are in desperate need of a new striker now that Alexandre Lacazette has return to Lyon.

There does look to be good news on that front, though, with it reported recently that Arsenal are increasingly confident that they are close to agreeing a deal to sign Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.