Arsene Wenger has delivered a revived form to the struggling Arsenal side with his new back-three setup. It has helped the North London side to reach the FA Cup final and break the Frenchman’s long-standing hoodoos against Jose Mourinho and away wins at Stoke City and Southampton.
However, many think the solution has come a little too late in the season with the chances of finishing in the top four more or less gone now. And after he revealed that he had first thought of the setup back in November when Arsenal were on their 19 games unbeaten run but didn’t implement it, he is expected to come against more vile remarks now.
However, the success of back three has definitely given Arsenal newer transfer targets in the summer and obviously a proper centre-half stand at the centre of all that. In Rob Holding, Arsenal have got a huge asset for the future, whose calm and assurance at just 21 has garnered praise from everyone. Apart from him, Arsenal also have a quality option in Shkodran Mustafi possessing the same game reading and dribbling abilities.
And the problem starts when we look beyond them. Laurent Koscielny is obviously better than them and a leader at the back, but his ageing legs have led him to miss numerous games with injuries. And Gabriel Paulista has been hugely inconsistent. With Nacho Monreal an unlikely saviour in that role, Wenger is desperate to add more quality to that position.
And according to reports, he is eyeing a move for Middlesbrough centre-half Ben Gibson. The 24-year-old has been one of the best defenders in the league this season and a significant player in Boro’s brilliant defensive record. With Calum Chambers returning from the side after his loan stint, Arsenal might use his camaraderie in bringing the player. Gibson has been a regular in Boro playing 37 times this season and even starting alongside Chambers at times.
Arsenal are preparing for life in the Europa League, which is characterised by congested fixtures and Arsenal would need quality options on the bench to be ready for the task. With Boro relegated already, the Riverside club will look to fetch a lump sum amount in return for Gibson and are reportedly asking £25 million for him.
The 185cm tall centre-half is known for his disciplined defending and perfectly timed headers. Alongside the likes of Mustafi, Mustafi, Holding and Chambers, Gibson could only add more quality to Arsenal’s young back line.
