Who should Arsenal sign at left-back?


Who should Arsenal sign at left-back?

By Jonny Bray
Arsenal have been linked with finding cover at left-back all summer long. 
Last season, Nuno Tavares did not look comfortable when filling in for Kieran Tierney.
While some fans have called for patience, others have pointed out that weakness in that position cost the club crucial points during the run-in last season. 
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Aaron Hickey and Lisandro Martínez have all been linked with a move to the Emirates. 
Mikel Arteta's side won't be picking up Hickey this summer after the Scotland defender put pen to paper on a move to Brentford. 
They can also say goodbye to their chances of signing Martínez. 
The Ajax and Argentina defender is reportedly in advanced talks with Manchester United, and it seems unlikely the Gunners can stop the imminent link-up with his old boss Erik ten Hag.
But now the Gunners have been linked with a move for Benfica defender Álex Grimaldo as well as Anderlecht's Sergio Gómez. 
The former has impressed with his performances in Portugal for many years now. 
So which left-back should Arsenal sign? 

Álex Grimaldo

Grimaldo is rated highly across the continent, with his sporting director referring to him as one of the best defenders in Europe. 
He came through at Barcelona's fabled La Masia, is now on the radar of giants such as Juventus, and with good reason. 
The 26-year-old swapped Spain for Portugal six years ago and has gone from strength to strength ever since. 
And now, he is one of the best defenders in the Primeira Liga, having made 249 appearances for Benfica. 
In that time, the Valencia-born star has established himself as a solid defender who also possesses a serious goal threat. 
During his six and a half years in Portugal, he has scored 19 goals and registered a very impressive 50 assists. 
Grimaldo is rapid with the ball at his feet, and he is also capable of carrying it over long distances and into attacking spaces.
He would certainly add a lot to Arsenal's attack down the left flank, but there would definitely be question marks surrounding him defensively during the early days.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Zinchenko is popping up more and more in the papers. 
The Manchester City attacking midfielder turned left-back has proven himself an excellent Premier League squad player under Pep Guardiola.
At Arsenal, he would get far more opportunities to play in midfield, while Tierney will be able to continue as the club's first choice. 
And if the Scotland international gets injured, the Ukraine star can fill in as experienced cover on the left side of the defence. 
The question is, though, does he want to move back to midfield or guarantee himself first-team football by sacrificing his own ambitions? 

Sergio Gómez

Sergio Gómez is an exciting young defender currently plying his trade for Belgian side Anderlecht. 
He has an excellent CV at youth level, having also come through at Barcelona before a spell with Borussia Dortmund. 
It wasn't to be at Germany, but he has excelled since his move to Belgium. 
He would be a left-field choice for Arteta, but with Tierney set to be first choice for years to come it might make sense to buy a player for the future. 

Conclusion

Arsenal already have an excellent left-back in Tierney, but cover is hard to come by. 
For that reason, they should sign Grimaldo. 
Manchester City and Liverpool have proven you need two elite-level players in each defensive position to compete at the highest level. 
If the Gunners sign Grimaldo, Arteta will be left with a decision on his hands some weeks.
But that is precisely what this Arsenal squad needs - competition.
Photo Credit: Getty Images

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