Arsenal are on the hunt for a new left-back this summer, but they didn’t come close to signing one in the January window, according to a report.

The Athletic report that Arsenal are looking for a left-footed left-back in the summer. They want a young player with high quality and potential who could play backup to Kieran Tierney and learn from the current first-choice option.

There were links to older and more experienced left-backs in the January transfer window, including Ryan Bertrand and Patrick van Aanholt. But whilst The Athletic report that both were on Arsenal’s recruitment list, neither came under serious consideration.

Arsenal weren’t in a position to make the left-back signing they wanted in January, given the financial constraints and the squad-space issues. So they chose to rely on the pre-existing cover for Tierney until the summer window.

Personally, I think they’re pursuing the correct strategy by going for a young backup to Tierney. I definitely wish they could have got it done in January, as Arsenal really need a left-footed left-back right now. Not Bukayo Saka – who should remain at right-wing.

But it was always a long shot, given it would’ve had to have been a homegrown left-back to fit them in the squad, which would have cost a fortune Arsenal didn’t have in the circumstances.