Arsenal: Full squad review – Who to keep, who to sell, and who to sign this summer

Centre Back has been a position of major weakness for Arsenal recently, and is one of their main focuses in the transfer window.

Shkodran Mustafi: The play of German centre back Shkodran Mustafi has been widely criticized by pundits and fans. In fact, over the past 12 months he’s gone from Germany vice-captain at the 2017 Confederations Cup, to not even making their Preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup. It truly has been a fall from grace for Mustafi, and it’s hard to see him making a comeback. If Arsenal receive an offer above £18 million, they should sell with no hesitation. If not, it’s fair to keep him around as a rotation option. Verdict: Sell for the right price.

Laurent Koscielny: The long-time trusty warrior of Arsene Wenger, Laurent Koscielny, went down with a horrible Achilles injury in May, ending his World Cup hopes with France. It was a devastating blow for him, but his Arsenal career is already starting to wind down. Since Koscielny is still injured for many months, Arsenal will likely fail to find a suitor for him. Once he returns from injury, he can play a bit-part role in the squad until they likely let him go next summer. He once carried the Arsenal defence almost single-handedly, and it’s a shame to see his career wind down in this manner. Verdict: Sell next summer.

Calum Chambers: It’s been 4 years since defender Calum Chambers joined Arsenal, and he is still yet to prove that he can become a starting centre back for the club. For that reason alone, his future is unclear. Chambers finished the 2017-18 season very strong however, putting on impressive displays against Manchester United and Atletico Madrid. He should be considered for a loan move. If not, he should stay as 4th or 5th choice centre back. If an offer of £15 million+ comes in, he should be sold. Verdict: Loan, keep, or sell for the right price. Any would suffice.

Rob Holding: In 2016-17, Rob Holding broke out in a big way when Arsene Wenger switched to the 3-4-2-1. He was particularly impressive in the latter stages of the FA Cup that season. Many expected him to be a starter from then on, but he suffered some growing pains this past season and rarely featured. Holding is still young and could improve vastly in the future. The best option for club and player, is for him to be loaned out to another Premier League club. Verdict: Loan

Sokratis Papastathopolous: Although this signing of Dortmund centre back Sokratis isn’t technically official yet, it should be announced on July 1st to ease Dortmund’s financial balance sheet. Sokratis brings much-needed experience to the Gunners’ backline, which is lacking in that department after the retirement of Per Mertesacker. Sokratis isn’t the most convincing centre back, but he is a solid player that can settle down this often gung-ho Arsenal defensive line. Verdict: Keep, obviously.

Konstantinos Mavropanos: The Greek freak, Dinos Mavropanos, is a highly-touted young centre back. Many Arsenal and Premier League fans saw flashes of his potential towards the end of last season, where he put in some impressive displays, but also earned a harsh red card. Although Mavropanos is still quite raw, he has the physical and technical ability to become a top defender. He must stay with the 1st team and learn alongside Sokratis. Verdict: Keep.

Transfers: Arsenal do have quite a few centre backs, but with Koscielny out for a few months of the coming season, and with his reliability issues regardless, they should look to bring in another face apart from Sokratis. Their two main targets should be Caglar Soyuncu and Benjamin Pavard. Both will cost upwards of £30 million, but their potential is sky-high. Arsenal should certainly look to seal a deal for one of the two.