Arsenal have certainly stood out from the crowd with their £200 million-plus investment this summer after signing Kai Havertz and agreeing deals for both Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber. There’s an expectation, however, that more could still occur.
Where that might be remains somewhat unknown although there’s potential for gaps if some players depart this summer. However, the potential for further investment at right-back has raised eyebrows among the football.london writers who are not in agreement about the need for incomings in this position.
Are we well stocked or is there room for some variations in options? Have a read of what our writers have got to say and leave your conclusions in the comment section down below.
Tom Canton - Arsenal Writer
There were times last season when I felt Arsenal lacked something in games. Away at both Manchester United and Everton, Ben White was brought off when the Gunners were trailing for Takehiro Tomiyasu but the switch did little to change much besides a set of fresh legs.
This isn’t a criticism of either player. Both are very highly appreciated and for good reason, however, they are similar in their traits. The signing of Jurrien Timber is again a player with the potential to offer something at right-back although he played every Eredivisie game at centre-half for Ajax last season.
There’s certainly scope to add something different in terms of a new variable and it makes sense given the links we’ve seen. football.london understands both Jeremie Frimpong and Ivan Fresneda are of interest to the club and reports in Germany have linked Arsenal with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Henrichs.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Declan Rice hint, Jurrien Timber plan, Thomas Partey stance
Manchester City, for example, had six players who could operate at full-back last season. Joao Cancelo, who left on loan in January, Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Sergio Gomez and John Stones who starred in an inverted role. Bernardo Silva also featured at left-back in a tactical switch by Pep Guardiola to add a seventh figure and that depth won them a treble.
Options and variation is what Mikel Arteta needs and therefore another full-back would be far from too much if they offer a completely new style to the existing squad. Whether it happens remains to be seen.
Kaya Kaynak - Chief Arsenal Writer
Personally, I think Arsenal are pretty set at fullback. I'm a fan of slimmer squads where you have two quality players competing for each position and given his comments in the past I'm pretty sure Mikel Arteta is too.
When Jurrien Timber arrives Arsenal will have that and I don't think they need more. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Alex Zinchenko can compete at left-back, while Ben White and Timber can compete at right-back. Both offer different options when they play in the position which make the Gunners really difficult to predict. Bear in mind Jakub Kiwior and William Saliba have both played at full-back in the past too.
While it's nice to stockpile untold numbers of players in each position on Football Manager, in reality it's much more difficult. Adding a fifth or a sixth fullback (assuming Kieran Tierney and Cedric were to move on, which at the current time of writing we're not sure of) would likely mean at least one being left out of the squad every week. That's bad for players' confidence and rhythm. We've seen it with players like Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga that once that goes it can be very difficult to get back. In this instance, I think less is more.
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
Before links to Jurrien Timber emerged, I didn't think Arsenal needed to sign a new full-back this summer and that's with Kieran Tierney, Cedric and Nuno Tavares all tipped to leave one way or another as there's a strong argument that it's still an area of strength regardless of potential departures.
Now with the Dutchman on the verge of signing, the fact he can also operate at right-back simply reinforces my belief that the Gunners have enough options when factoring Benjamin White and Takehiro Tomiyasu into the equation as well as youngster Reuell Walters who was on the fringes of a first-team breakthrough towards the end of last season.
Ultimately it will come down to luck and avoiding injuries but as things stand, a new right-back - whether it be Jeremie Frimpong, Benjamin Henrichs or Ivan Fresneda - is not a necessity for Arsenal especially as there are other areas in the squad that need addressing still.
