Arsenal are in need of a centre-back, and supporters believe there’s one player who can come in and improve the side.
At best, Arsenal’s defensive options could be described as unreliable. There are times where our backline can look excellent, yet they also have plenty of faults that come out during games.
A single player won’t remedy that, but an injection of quality wouldn’t hurt. Hence, some fans have their hearts set on Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk. After he was denied a move in the summer, he could finally get his way in January.
arsenal need to go in january. id be getting theo alexis out for sure and 2 wingers in. would also be all in for a CB. Van Dijk looks like the no brainer. would slot in well and improve our distrubition. allow monreal to go back left.
— GoonAFC (@GunnerAB10) December 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/UnrealMonrealFC/status/945628985693822976
Van dijk to city. Wake up Arsenal…. we need him more. Kos needs a break. BfG can't do premier league. Monreal not a CB. #COYG
— rizal abdul kadir (@rizalkadir) December 22, 2017
The Dutch defender would be an expensive option, but his height and ball-playing ability would be very useful assets in our back-line. Per Mertesacker is the only aerially dominant centre-back we have, but he’s retiring in a few months’ time.
Laurent Koscielny, meanwhile, has been over-burdened and is declining as he gets older. That leaves us with Shkodran Mustafi, who has been inconsistent, and the young duo of Rob Holding and Calum Chambers, who Arsene Wenger has mainly used in the domestic cups.
Arsenal have been linked with van Dijk, though he appears to be closer to a move to Manchester City. Fans are desperate for the Gunners to fight for him, however.