Three Backups For Hector Bellerin Who Arsenal Can Target
Arsene Wenger will be happy with the way his side managed to steal a point from their trip to Stamford Bridge last weekend, especially after a less than impressive start to the Premier League campaign. The Gunners will look to improve their results but have a squad that might wither under pressure later in the season.
A few positions in the squad need immediate strengthening, especially the right-hand side of the backline, with Spanish star Hector Bellerin being the only trusted right-back/right wing-back in the current squad.
There are options available in the form of Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy but the former is quite unreliable as he is still finding his feet in English football. Debuchy does not seem to have the trust of his French gaffer and he is more like a forgotten man. Ainsley Maitland-Niles seems to be a brilliant prospect and Wenger might be tempted to use him in the league but the mistake that he made against Doncaster in the Carabao cup (though he recovered to stop it from becoming a goal) is evidence enough for Wenger to not thrust him into league action right away.
Wenger quickly needs to add players to his lineup as backups for the Spaniard and here are three right-backs he can target in January.
Rafinha (Bayern Munich)
The versatile defender has now turned 32 but is still the first choice for German giants Bayern Munich. However, he is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal and could leave the Allianz Arena for free at the end of the season. Arsenal can swoop in for him in January and offer a decent price that Bayern might lose if they let Rafinha leave for free in the summer. He is an experienced campaigner and would be a perfect backup for Bellerin in all competitions.
Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus)
Another experienced full-back who Arsenal can look at is Lichtsteiner. At 33, he is no longer the first choice for the Old Lady in Italy but still has what it takes to be a hit at the highest level. Having gathered loads of experience, the Swiss international might be tempted at the chance of playing regular football at the Emirates and with his deal also ending in 2018, Juventus might be compelled to sell in January. Surely, Arsenal should take advantage of this situation and sign him up.
Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moscow)
One player Arsene Wenger can easily land is Mario Fernandes from Moscow. The 27-year old has established himself as the best full-back in the Russian domestic league and is also the first choice for the national side. He has gathered loads of experience and can initially act as a backup before learning the trade of the English game and pushing Bellerin for a first-team spot. His inclusion will solve Arsenal’s right-back crisis for years to come.
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