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Transfer news: Arsenal first in line to sign defender from SC Freiburg

By Ashley Anthony

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Nathan Ake of AFC Bournemouth attempts to cross as Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal attempts to block during the Premier League match between Arsenal and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on September 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Nathan Ake of AFC Bournemouth attempts to cross as Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal attempts to block during the Premier League match between Arsenal and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on September 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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A position that needed immediate attention in the Arsenal team before last season got underway was the ageing backline. This is the first place they must look to replace after acquiring class attackers in the previous transfer window.

The North London side is in need of new defenders and transfer talks point in the direction of Freiburg youngster, Caglar Soyuncu. Last season Arsenal only managed to sign two defenders in, Sead Kolasinac and Konstantinos Mavropanos.

The former, acquired before the season kicked off and the latter, added to the ranks during the winter window. Sead started brightly but later lost his place due to a formation change made by the retired manager, Arsene Wenger.

When playing three at the back, the Bosnian was first choice, deployed in a winger-back role. Whereas Mavropanos, has struggled for a starting place, making only three appearances for the Gunners.

Arsenal failed repeatedly with this formation exposing their three at the back, with Nacho Monreal their best defender in the setup by far. The age of Per Mertesacker and the injury-prone, Laurent Koscielny were victims to athletic, youthful forwards on a number of occasions.

This transfer talk sets the pace

With the five names mentioned previously, one is on his way out [Mertesacker] and will hang up his boots at the Emirates. Two of the five are waiting to see if they can cut the grade under whomever Arsenal choose to fill the void left by Wenger.

The last two will follow in the footsteps of Mertesacker, considering their age [Koscielny and Nacho Monreal]. Both are 32 years of age and are reaching the final years of their footballing career.

Joining them in the defensive ranks are, Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Shkodran Mustafi, and Rob Holding. Out the lot, Bellerin and Mustafi are already well-established in the starting eleven and the other two are looking to break into the first team as regulars.

With a new manager imminent – they all stand a strong chance to impress before the new season.

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Caglar Soyuncu, the 21-year-old Turkish national has been named as a top-talent. With the Gunners losing out on their one shot to land Champions League next season – it could influence the player to go in another direction.

With Germany’s royalty rumoured to be as interested in the young Turk – we could see him choose to play football in the Bundesliga rather. But as reports have gone – it seems the player has made a choice, with the Emirates the preferred destination.

The young tackler is valued at around £30 million and could leave Freiburg for a good penny after gaining the attention of many top clubs across all of Europe’s top leagues. The Gunners’ goals conceded this season of 51 goals is the third highest of the top ten teams in the Premier League. This is a clear indication Soyuncu is needed by the North Londoners.

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