Why Arsenal should go all out to sign Marvin Plattenhardt in January
Reinforcing the left-back position is a clear and obvious need for Arsenal, who continue to impress under Unai Emery after a slow start to the 2018/19 campaign.
Nacho Monreal, 32, will be out of contract at Arsenal in seven months and hasn’t agreed to a new deal as of yet. The Spaniard played the majority of the opening games of the season in a conventional left-back role before getting injured. The hamstring injury saw him miss 11 games for the north Londoners but Monreal made his long-awaited return for the Gunners against Huddersfield Town last Sunday.
During Monreal’s spell on the sidelines, Emery switched to a back three with Sead Kolasinac impressing at wing-back. But Kolasinac is injury-prone and has missed more in his time at Arsenal than he missed in his last two years at German club Schalke. That said, it is risky for Emery to rely on Monreal and Kolasinac to play consistently and not get injured.
It would be practical for Arsenal to invest in a new left-back in January, particularly with Monreal set to be out of contract at the end of the season. Hence, Emery should make a move for highly-rated Hertha Berlin defender Marvin Plattenhardt when the transfer window re-opens next month.
Marvin Plattenhardt, 26, has emerged as one of the best left-backs in the Bundesliga scene since joining Hertha Berlin in the summer of 2014. The 26-year-old, who was a part of Germany’s squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has bagged 20 assists and 7 goals from 133 appearances for Hertha Berlin across all competitions.
In 12 games across all competitions this term, the German has contributed with a goal and two assists. His playing style should help him settle into the Premier League without much fuss.
A solid and established left-back, Marvin Plattenhardt is known for his ability to bomb up and down the left flank without getting tired for a minute. He has a sound positional sense for a full-back and is a good reader of the game, capable of delivering some devilish crosses into the box with his sweet left-foot.
The German has good pace, top tackling traits and rarely gets caught out of position. Blessed with a solid technique, Plattenhardt is also a good passer of the ball and is capable of creating opportunities for his teammates. Furthermore, he is also a dead-ball specialist, which should entice Emery in making a move for him.
Read more: Arsenal should sign this 20-year-old Ligue 1 starlet to replace Ramsey even if it costs more than £36m
There is no doubt that he would be a superb addition to Arsenal if they can pull it off. At 26, Plattenhardt is playing at the peak of his powers and will certainly provide a long-term solution to Emery’s left-back woes.