Arsenal’s centre-back targets

With Arsenal struggling for defensive numbers ahead of the new season, we look at five centre-backs they could target.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that Per Mertesacker will be out for “a few months” with a knee injury, with Laurent Koscielny on a post-Euro 2016 break and Gabriel Paulista out of the Gunners’ American tour with tonsillitis. 

That leaves Calum Chambers as the most experienced centre-back in the States’ squad, with new signing Rob Holding next in line. The absences have prompted Arsene Wenger to admit he needs help at the back.

“We have to look for an option to get a bit more experience,” Wenger said on the official Arsenal website ahead of a clash with MLS All-Stars on Thursday.

“We will see some of our young centre-backs on Thursday as well. With Per being out, we are a bit short on the experience front and we are looking to bring somebody in.”

Along with our friends at Football Whispers, we have identified five central defenders Arsenal could bring in before the end of the transfer window…

Kostas Manolas – Roma

Manolas was on Arsenal’s radar back in 2014 but finances once again got in the way as the Gunners balked at the £12m fee quoted by Olympiakos.

Roma stepped in and during two seasons with the Serie A club the Greece international, who has won 24 caps for his country, has become a vital part of their defence.

Standing six-foot two-inches, Manolas, who has again been linked with a move to the Emirates, has the size and strength to handle the physicality of the Premier …

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