Finding Arsenal's Next Right-Back

10 years after joining the club as a teenager from Barcelona, Héctor Bellerín is set to return to Spain as Arsenal look to cash in on the 26-year-old as he enters the final two years of his contract. Villarreal have reportedly thrown their hat into the ring and made an offer for him, with Unai Emery reportedly keen on a reunion with Bellerín, whilst Real Betis are interested in signing him as well.

The Gunners are reportedly demanding £20 million for Bellerín, and while they may have to lower their price tag due to the economic impact of the pandemic, it is becoming increasingly clear that he has played his last match in North London. Moreover, it underscores a problematic area that Arsenal will be even more desperate to reinforce, with none of the options managing to lock down the starting spot as Kieran Tierney has done on the left side of defense.

https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/arsenals-right-back-conundrum/

Cédric Soares, a traditional right-back, has only played in that position three times since arriving on a free transfer from Southampton last summer, having mainly slotted into the left side of defense with Tierney regularly injured. Calum Chambers has enjoyed a revitalization in fortunes after suffering an ACL rupture in 2019, but he too is no more than a short-term fix. Ainsley Maitland-Niles could be an option there, but he has remained firm that his desired position is in midfield, and he will likely be headed for a permanent transfer after his loan at West Bromwich Albion expired.