Arsenal might have become a decaying Premier League force in past couple of years, they, however, are trying to make up the lost ground by splashing the cash in the transfer market and reconstructing their squad in order to become an admirable ‘top four’ Premier League side once again. Arsene Wenger’s days are numbered as the Gunners boss, but the veteran Frenchman is keen on building a decent squad for his successor. Arsenal have concluded a swap deal with Manchester United last month by replacing Alexis Sanchez with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and also signed in high-profile ex-Borussia Dortmund striking sensation Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a club-record £60m transfer fee.
The Gunners’ backline, however, needs some reinforcements and finding a quality centre-back has to be the topmost priority in coming summer. They had a failed attempt to bring in veteran Jonny Evans from West Bromwich Albion on the transfer deadline as their £12 mil bid was rejected by the Baggies boss Alan Pardew and the North London heavyweights are now reportedly plotting a move for Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar.
The 23-year old Slovakian is having his maiden campaign for the Serie A heavyweights since completing a £22 mil summer move from Sampdoria and is enjoying a highly impressive season for the Nerazzurri who are sensing a return to the prestigious Champions League football next term. Skriniar has earned a regular slot in the heart of Internazionale backline for his strong defensive display as well as impressive passing traits that make him a perfect fit in Wenger’s philosophy and football fashion. He is under contract until 2022 and the Gunners will have to break the bank once more to meet his suggested £62 mil asking fee.
Arsenal currently have veteran Laurent Koscielny who is partnered with an inconsistent Shkodran Mustafi in deep defence. They have been exposed defensively quite often and the youngsters like Calum Chambers and Rob Holding are yet to hand in a permanent resolution to their defensive conundrum. They thus require a strong as well as promising centre-back who holds experience of the highest order and the profile of the Slovakian fits the bill to be a success for the London giants.
Arsenal are unlikely to reclaim a Champions League spot through a Premier League ‘top four’ finish but have continued their scintillating cup run of past few years and reached the final of the prestigious League Cup competition where they will lock horns with mighty Manchester City at Wembley Stadium. Wenger will also concentrate on winning the UEFA Europa League competition in order to take his side back in the prestigious Champions League event by the only possible way. There they will have to overcome the challenges from the likes of Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund to be crowned as the champions and the defensive frailty will be haunting them time and again in decisive encounters.
Skriniar is being targeted by a host of European heavyweights, and Arsenal, believed to be one of them, must speed it up to wrap up a deal for the Slovakian as soon as the transfer window reopens ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
