Chelsea threaten to hijack Mikel Arteta's genius £27m deal that solves growing Arsenal
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It was exacerbated in the 5-0 win at Norwich City by all of their ostensible right-back
options either testing positive for COVID-19 or not involved in the matchday squad.
Ben White lined up at right-back and while it had no bearing on the game, breaking up
his partnership with Gabriel for key upcoming fixtures would be a worry.
But regardless, the lack of depth (quality depth) beyond Takehiro Tomiyasu ought to be
a concern for the club.
The gap to Cedric Soares is big.
The gap to Calum Chambers even bigger and Ainsley Maitland-Niles looks set to leave
on loan.
The January transfer window will undoubtedly see Arsenal linked with central midfielders
and strikers considering their issues in both areas of the pitch but a reserve right-back
should be on the list too.
Barcelona's Sergino Dest is one name who could be a useful pick-up but the news of an injury
setback at Chelsea could derail any hopes Arsenal had of a free shot at signing him.
On Tuesday afternoon it was confirmed that Blues left-back Ben Chilwell is set to miss
the rest of the season, as he has to undergo surgery to treat a serious knee ligament injury.
The London club will need a short-term replacement and a number of reports have suggested they
are interested in signing Lucas Digne from Everton or Dest from Barcelona.
There is a suggestion they are weighing up whether to sign a permanent deputy or a temporary
replacement on loan which could yet be a reprieve to any Arsenal interest in Dest.
Chelsea’s signing of Dest would be a major blow for Arsenal as the Gunners have recently
been linked with the Dutch-born American to solve their potential defensive dilemma.
Despite the excellent acquisition of Tomiyasu from Bologna in a bargain £19.8m deal, Arteta’s
side still requires another right-back in the squad.
The difference in quality between Tomiyasu and the covering right-backs was proven in
the 4-1 victory over Leeds United when Cedric Soares came on to replace the 23-year-old
and instantly Arteta’s defence looked weaker, causing the loss of a clean sheet.
Maitland-Niles was probably Arteta’s best back-up option to Tomiyasu but it is anticipated
he will move to Roma on loan before the transfer window shuts.
It would leave Chambers as the sole alternative at right-back but he has had not really had
a look-in since Tomiyasu's arrival and bringing him in from the cold feels like an emergency
option, making the acquisition of a right-back an important one.
Dest would have been - and could still be - a great option for Arsenal, and a deal was
certainly possible, as according to the Spanish press, Barcelona have listed both Frenkie
de Jong and Dest as being available for transfer, along with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The American international would likely be minded to join Chelsea over the Gunners due
to the fact that his game time would be more frequent at Stamford Bridge for the remainder
of this season at the very least after the injury suffered to Chilwell.
Dest looks, on paper at least, to be the kind of signing, even at the £27m fee Transfermarkt
values him at, that would provide excellent competition for Tomiyasu and provide a different,
more dynamic option in that particular position.
But unless Arsenal are willing to prioritise a deal in this window, the possibility may
no longer be there come the summer.