6 left-back options for Arsenal in the summer transfer window | OneFootball

6 left-back options for Arsenal in the summer transfer window | OneFootball

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90min

·15 April 2024

6 left-back options for Arsenal in the summer transfer window

Article image:6 left-back options for Arsenal in the summer transfer window

Arsenal are expected to search for a new left-back this summer as their quest to dominate both England and Europe steps up to the next level.

Questions have been asked of Oleksandr Zinchenko and deputy Jakub Kiwior, the latter of whom isn't even a left-back, so it may be time to make one more addition to an increasingly imposing defensive line.


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Here are six players Arsenal should look at.

Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)

Grimaldo sealed Bundesliga glory / Mika Volkmann/GettyImages

It's hard to argue any left-back has had a better 2023/24 season that Bayer Leverkusen's Alejandro Grimaldo.

Signed on a free transfer last summer after his wonderkid status had firmly disappeared, Grimaldo exploded into a machine for the Bundesliga winners, racking up crazy numbers of goals and assists under Xabi Alonso's tutelage.

Grimaldo's attacking flair would only boost Arsenal's options in the final third and help create the fluid dynamic that Arteta is pushing for.

Ferdi Kadioglu (Fenerbahce)

Kadioglu is a star in Turkey / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Zinchenko has been used as an inverted left-back for years now, so if Arteta wants to stick to that system, he should look no further that Fenerbahce's Ferdi Kadioglu.

The 24-year-old was an elite midfield playmaker up until 2018 before a move to Turkey saw him switch into a left-back role, and Kadioglu is now widely seen as one of the best players in the Super Lig.

Heading into the final two years of his contract, there are plenty of clubs in Europe eyeing Kadioglu as a potential bargain this summer, and Arsenal would be wise to join the queue.

Miguel Gutierrez (Girona)

Gutierrez has plenty of interest / Alex Caparros/GettyImages

Girona's flame may have fizzled out towards the end of this season but the entire squad did enough to catch the eye, with left-back Miguel Gutierrez no exception.

Gutierrez was touted as a future star when he broke through at Real Madrid and that perception of the 22-year-old appears to have been justified. He has been excellent this season, exceeding expectations at both left-back and wing-back.

Girona simply do not have the financial means to compete with his elite suitors, of which there are many, so a deal may not prove to be too expensive.

Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves)

Ait-Nouri's reputation continues to grow / Copa/GettyImages

Shopping in the Premier League is an expensive hobby but, if Arsenal want a risk-free signing without any concerns over adjusting to English football, Rayan Ait-Nouri should be their guy.

Like Gutierrez, Ait-Nouri's stock was incredibly high as a youngster and, after a few quiet years, he is now flying. The 22-year-old may be a left-back by trade but his love of dribbling sees him involved all over the field, which could fit into Arteta's system perfectly.

With only two years left on his contract, Ait-Nouri may well be available for the right price this summer. He'd be an expensive but worthwhile addition to the Gunners' squad.

Jorrel Hato (Ajax)

Hato recently signed a new deal / ANP/GettyImages

Jorrel Hato is a bit of a gamble. He's only 18 but is soaring with Ajax, showing everything you want to see from a player of his age in an otherwise uninspiring defence.

A centre-back by trade, Hato is comfortable shifting out wide and could be used as part of a makeshift back three, especially with Ben White discovering his love of getting forward and impacting play at that end of the pitch.

He did just sign a new long-term contract, but Ajax are always open for business at the right price.

Kieran Tierney (Arsenal)

Tierney still has two years left on his Arsenal contract / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages

It wasn't long ago that Kieran Tierney was being talked about as a future captain and core member of the Arsenal squad. We don't know what happened, but for one reason or another, he fell down the standings and was loaned out to Real Sociedad this season.

A series of hamstring injuries have limited Tierney's involvement in Spain but he is still clearly a dependable left-back who perhaps just needed a change of scenery to get his career going once again.

The key to this deal is the strength of Tierney's relationship with Arteta. Reports suggest it could be more than a little frosty, but if Arsenal want to save money, they could try to rebuild that bridge.

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