Player profile: Borna Sosa

Borna Sosa

Player profile: Borna Sosa

By Hugo Mirabel Hardy

Borna Sosa has recently been linked with a move to not only Arsenal, but also London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham who are believed to be interested in the full-back’s signature.

A relatively unknown name to fans outside of the Bundesliga, the 24-year-old Croatian has impressed pundits this season for Stuttgart despite his side facing relegation as they sit 17th in the league.

So, who is Borna Sosa? Let’s take a look at the potential summer signing for the Gunners.  

Profile: 


Born in 1998, he is currently 24 years old and has been at vfB Stuttgart since the 2018/19 season, making 74 appearances across both Bundesliga and the dfB Pokal. 

Sosa has scored three goals in that time, two of those coming this season, and has provided 19 assists during his time there, 10 of those coming last season.

He is on his way to replicating that again this year, popping up with five assists so far across all competitions. 

Sosa mainly plays as a left-back but can also operate effectively as a left wing-back or left midfielder if required.

His contract was last renewed in November 2020 until June 2025, so there is little pressure on Stuttgart to sell, unless Sosa becomes unsettled about having to stay at a struggling Stuttgart instead of playing at the Emirates. 

Valued at £18 million (according to transfermarkt) he fits nicely within Arsenal’s budget, and a price-tag like this is unlikely to add pressure on him to perform straightaway – the question is though, do Arsenal need him?

Who would he replace?

Arsenal’s current options at left back are Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares, the latter of whom they signed from Benfica last summer.

Tierney is undeniably the Gunners’ first-choice left back, as he provides defensive stability as well as providing at the other end of the pitch.

The ex-Celtic man is also quite versatile, being able to put in a shift at centre-back.

He’s scored four goals since joining in 2019 and has 12 assists to his name during that time too.

However, Tierney has been absent for 186 days during his time at Arsenal due to injury, missing 38 
games in that period – equal to a whole season in the Premier League. 

Tavares on the other hand is a much rawer talent, only 22, and has time to be moulded into Arteta’s ideal fullback. 

Yet to score any goals, he has already provided two assists this year in his 19 games, so the signs are promising. 

Overall, Sosa would be a good back-up to the injury-prone Tierney and would allow Arsenal to manage his game time in order to keep him as fit as possible, while also reducing the pressure on Tavares to improve quickly and cover for Tierney if he’s out injured. 

With Konstantinos Mavropanos on loan at Stuttgart from Arsenal, he may prove to be the difference between Sosa choosing between the three London clubs vying for his signature.

Even if he costs anything up to £25 million, at only 24 years-old, he may prove to be a shrewd piece of business if Arsenal are able to pull it off. 

His support and competition to Tierney and allowing Tavares to continue his development could prove to be invaluable. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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