Left-back presented a special problem for Mikel Arteta when he joined Arsenal. Before he arrived, the club had already added Kieran Tierney to its roster of players who may play that role in the summer. Since then, Arsenal has added six additional left-back capable players, but none of them have established themselves in the starting lineup.
Unlike every other position in Arteta’s team, left-back has been a moving door at Arsenal. Part of this volatility has been injuries and changing tactical strategies. Arsenal spent more than £35 million on individuals who could play the position, although they still looked for another solution when this transfer window opened.
Arsenal is monitoring Jorrel Hato of Ajax, for example. Compared to earlier recruits, Hato, aged barely eighteen, has a distinct profile. Not a versatile full-back or a center-back who can play wide on occasion, he is younger. His prospective appeals to the recruiting staff and Edu Gaspar, who are always trying to bolster the club.
Remarkably, Oleksandr Zinchenko, who played the most minutes at left-back the previous season, only accrued less than 2,000 league minutes. This was the case even though Jurrien Timber missed almost the whole season. Despite starting just 10 times and playing in 20 games, Jakub Kiwior performed brilliantly throughout the injuries to Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Though he is right-footed and not a great match for left-back, the club expects Timber will make a big difference in the 2024–25 season.
Arsenal is still searching in vain for the ideal left-back. Another interesting player to emerge is Riccardo Calafiori of Italy. Playing left center-back, he was impressive in Italy’s 2-1 victory against Albania. At 22 years old, Calafiori has shown he can drift wide and can connect with teammates.
Arsenal Has Identified The Replaces Of Zinchenko
The path taken by Calafiori has been noteworthy. Following his graduation from Roma’s academy, he traveled to Basel for a year, then back to Italy with Bologna. Already drawing notice for his achievements, Transfermarkt estimates that his current worth is £26 million.
There’s a catch even if Arsenal may consider Calafiori to be a worthwhile signing. The player has shown an interest in Chelsea in the past. “In 2022, I have two images: returning to Italy, maybe in Rome,” Calafiori said. Or playing in the Premier League would be my dream. West Ham and Chelsea are my favorites.
The left-back story of Arsenal under Arteta is a reflection of larger possibilities and problems within the team. In contrast to more steady parts of the team, this position is always changing. But so has the unrelenting search for the ideal fit, as well as injuries and tactical changes. With their own qualities and difficulties, Jorrel Hato and Riccardo Calafiori provide possible answers.
A key issue as Arsenal negotiates another transfer window is the left-back position. The difficulties in contemporary football management are reflected in the club’s ongoing attempts to at last find a reliable player for this position. Arsenal has a bright future with left-backs like Hato and Calafiori, two up-and-coming players.
