There's a reason Pep Guardiola has spent more money on defenders than any other position during his time at Manchester City.
The 'defences win titles' argument is overdone, but for the way Guardiola and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta set up their team, it is arguably the most important facet when trying to get their tactics spot on. The Gunners' current squad, not including players out on loan, cost €531.6million (£465million) according to Transfermarkt. €223.1million (£195million) of this (42%) was spent on defenders.
Of course, the north Londoners want to strengthen their midfield options this summer, football.london understands that West Ham United captain Declan Rice is the priority, and this should undoubtedly be the case. But if there is only enough money to sign one defender or one attacker, funds should be delegated to the former.
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Take a closer look at Europe's top five leagues and Arsenal rank second for goals scored this season, along with Bayern Munich. With four games still to play, Arteta's men have already scored 20 goals more than they managed last season, netting 81 times in the league this term, a tally that is only bettered by City.
"To be a top team you have to score 90-100 goals if you want to be competing with the top guns," Arteta said back in 2020. The Spaniard's team are well on their way to hitting that target, especially when you consider that their two starting wingers, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, are both just 21 years old and have plenty of time to improve their already extremely well-rounded games. But the numbers defensively don't quite read as handsomely.
In Europe's big five divisions 30 teams have conceded fewer goals than the Gunners' total of 39, a number that has increased rapidly since losing first-choice right-centre-back William Saliba to injury. In fact, in Saliba's 27 league starts, the north London outfit had conceded just 25 goals, averaging 0.93 goals against per game.
In the seven games without the Frenchman, they have shipped 14 - working out at two per match. And when you delve into the underlying numbers, it is evident this isn't pure coincidence.
As per Understat, Arsenal conceded just 27.53 xGA (expected goals against) in the period that Saliba was available, the second-best in the English top-flight - even less than defensive specialists Newcastle United had managed. Comparatively, 10 Premier League sides have registered less xGA since the 22-year-old has been sidelined.
To play as a centre-back in Arteta’s system, you need to be sound technically, physically dominant and comfortable defending high up - covering large spaces behind you. Rob Holding, who filled in for Saliba in six of those seven matches, just doesn't fit this criteria.
It's time to invest in a new defensive stalwart that is at the very least a better fit than Holding. football.london understands that Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi is on the club's shortlist of potential defensive targets whilst Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba is another player they have looked at.
Tapsoba's Leverkusen teammate Moussa Diaby has also been mooted as a potential target for Arsenal's frontline but this summer, Arteta needs to prioritise shoring up the defence ahead of bolstering attacking options if the Gunners are to close the gap on Guardiola's City.
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