Arsenal opinion: Three right-backs Arsenal should target

With news that Stephan Lichtsteiner will be leaving the club, Arsenal need reinforcements or rather need someone to help out at right-back. Ainsley Maitland-Niles has done a great job as a make-shift right-back but he isn’t a long-term option.

Instead, the club needs to start looking towards the future, that is if they ever want to have a bright future in the Premier League. Hector Bellerin is a world-class first-choice right-back but it’s his back-up that Arsenal do not have.

Their depth in multiple positions is dismal and that needs to change this summer. That being said, here are three potential options.

Cristiano Piccini

He was first linked with a move to Arsenal at the start of the season but no move ever materialised and Piccini moved to Valencia. However, MSN has once again linked Arsenal and now it’s a move that the club should really consider.

A talented right-back, Unai Emery got a great view of the 26-year-old when Arsenal faced Valencia in the semi-final of the Europa League.

While the Italian did not have the best game against Arsenal, his form this season has been impeccable and one of the reasons why the North London side needs to make a move.

A calm and composed figure, Piccini effortlessly moves across the field, flourishing both offensively and defensively. Add that to his work ethic and defensive nuance, he would be a brilliant option for Arsenal in the summer.

Not only is he comfortable playing as a rotation player but he can also offer some competition for Bellerin’s first-team place.

Max Aarons

Another talented star, Aarons has been absolutely phenomenal for Norwich City in the lead up to their Championship title win. While the Canaries were never amongst the favourites to win the title, their surge after January saw them become the favourites.

A large part of that has been down to their impressive back-line. Alongside Ben Godfrey and Timm Klose, Max Aarons has been brilliant for the club, charging up and down the flank time after time.

The personification of a modern right-back, Aarons combines the defensive with the offensive aspects brilliantly.

That combined with the fact that he’s just 19 years old shows the bags of potential the young Norwich man has. It’s why a move for Arsenal would be perfect, as it would allow him to learn under a brilliant manager while getting regular game time as well.

Kevin Malcuit

There is a reason why Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti replaced Elseid Hysaj with Kevin Malcuit just after January. The former right-back had struggled, which saw him get sacked from the team.

But it didn’t seem to matter, with Kevin Malcuit seamlessly slipping into the slot and that saw Arsenal get linked. It’s where the Frenchman flourishes, being a modern full-back.

The 27-year-old’s speed and agility would help the team going forward along with Malcuit’s crossing abilities, but it’s defensively that the Napoli star would have to step up.

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He averages 1.8 tackles, 1.8 interceptions, and 2.3 clearances per game, according to Whoscored. That puts him above every Arsenal defender barring Shkrodan Mustafi in the first two categories.