Arsenal are reportedly keen on landing Manchester United’s Chris Smalling despite reports the player is very happy in Rome and quite willing to stay there.

MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 06: Chris Smalling of AS Roma reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 6, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Chris Smalling of AS Roma reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 6, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s defence is a shambles. There isn’t a person on the planet who doesn’t know this.

With William Saliba set to arrive next season, that will hopefully sort some of the problems but they need to find replacements for Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis and David Luiz.

Enter Chris Smalling’s name. Again.

Arsenal leading Premier League clubs chasing transfer of Man Utd's Chris Smalling - Sunday Mirror 8 December 2019
Arsenal leading Premier League clubs chasing transfer of Man Utd’s Chris Smalling – Sunday Mirror 8 December 2019

Currently on loan from Manchester United and playing alongside Henrikh Mkhitaryan at Roma, the 30-year-old has two goals and an assist from 11 Serie A games this season.

Smalling is a player who has been linked heavily with Arsenal since his days with Fulham when he was just a teen.

MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 07: Chris Smalling of AS Roma reacts during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and AS Roma at Borussia-Park on November 07, 2019 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 07: Chris Smalling of AS Roma reacts during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and AS Roma at Borussia-Park on November 07, 2019 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Bongarts/Getty Images)

He was close to a move to Arsenal in 2010, when he was 21, but opted for United instead where he won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League before falling out of favour and moving away on loan this season.

It seems unlikely that Arsenal will be able to tempt him back to England with Roma currently in the Champions League places and the Gunners in disarray.

But even if they could, should they?