Former Arsenal player William Gallas has urged the club to focus on signing new defenders as an “urgent” priority.
Mikel Arteta is set to strengthen his midfield with rumors of early summer moves for Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.
Still, Gallas believes replacing Ben White at right-back is a more pressing matter for Arsenal, despite the former Brighton man receiving rave reviews for his performances this season.
“I think Arsenal need to sign a lot of players,” he told Genting Casino. “They need a left-back, a right-back.
“Ben White is not a right-back – I think we’ve seen that in the tough games. When Arsenal played against better opponents, he struggled to make an impact in the attacking part of the game.
“I think it’s because he’s a centre-back who is played out of position. I think Arsenal need to sign an experienced centre-back. I’ve said it many times: Arsenal need to sign a defender experienced central in case one of Gabriel or (William) Saliba gets injured, which unfortunately happened.
“I think Arsenal need to add another type of striker as well.”
West Ham midfielder Rice is set to be targeted by Arsenal at the end of the Hammers’ season next month.
Gallas, who spent four years in north London, expects such a move would see Thomas Partey or another player in the position sold. Granit Xhaka is in talks for a move to Bayer Leverkusen.
“He’s a very good player who I think will reach another level if he joins a top club and that’s why I think he will leave West Ham this summer,” he continued.
“Arsenal will have to sell a midfielder because they can’t have that many at the club and also sign Rice. I know there will be a lot of extra Champions League games, but they will have to sell one.
“Arsenal will want to make a statement by signing. Okay, Rice is in the market, but I think their most pressing need is to sign high-level defenders.
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