Arsenal are largely expected to splash the cash on a defender and/or goalkeeper in the summer, but perhaps the long-needed managerial change will be the answer to the problems at the back instead.
3Massimiliano Allegri
Arsenal have recently been linked with Massimiliano Allegri of Juventus.
The Italian manager failed to win the Champions League this season (or even make the semi-finals), which was their primary aim, and he could be facing the axe or looking for a way out.
The Old Lady has allowed just 20 goals in Serie A this season.
While Mustafi is not Chiellini and never will be, Allegri could surely turn him into a competent defender, at least.
Allegri has done this while deploying a variety of defensive systems as well.
When Juventus are facing a team of lesser quality than themselves (like against Tottenham in the Champions League), they usually play with 4 at the back to allow themselves to push higher up the field with numbers.
In their Serie A games, when facing teams nearer to them in the table, Allegri has had success with the more traditional Italian system of three at the back.
Juventus employed this against AC Milan in a 3-1 win and something similar to it this past week against Napoli (which they lost, 1-0).
Being able to use multiple, different defensive strategies successfully will translate well to the Premier League, where there are so many different managing styles.
In past seasons, Arsenal have at times struggled due to an inability to adapt when “plan A” fails.
Allegri also has defensive success without compromising on attack.
The results speak for themselves; Juventus have only allowed 20 goals, but they have also scored the second most in Serie A with 78.
With a manager that is more skilled at organising defences like Allegri, Arsenal may not make the same bone-headed mistakes they have made this season.