Mikel Arteta pushing for key Arsenal transfer as Liverpool make shock $51m decision
Arsenal transfer news: The latest media briefing from the Emirates Stadium with reaction to stories on Eric Garcia and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Mikel Arteta is said to be the key force behind a surprise Arsenal move for Barcelona centre-back Eric Garcia. After an injury to Jurrien Timber it has left the Gunners in a precarious position as defenders continue to depart the club.
Left-back Kieran Tierney has moved on loan to Real Sociedad whilst Nuno Tavares has agreed a deal to join Nottingham Forest on loan with an option to buy included. Rob Holding could yet move on this summer and the state of play leaves Arteta potentially very light at the back.
Jakub Kiwior, primarily a centre-back, is now effectively one of the options at left-back with Takehiro Tomiyasu more suited to playing on the right. With Gabriel Magalhaes emerging as a shock candidate to leave in the final days of the window it has left the stock cupboard bare.
football.london says: The injury to Timber aside, quite how Arsenal have landed themselves in this situation is staggering. The business was all going so smoothly but they have now had two weeks to make a decision regarding reinforcements at the back and nothing has been done.
Gabriel was a flight risk at the same time Timber got injured and the lack of progress since then is alarming. When the African Cup of Nations comes round in January there is the very real chance that Arteta only has five senior defenders to call on. For a side competing at the top of the league, in Europe and hopefully two cup competitions, that is far from enough.
Garcia would be a really good option in this world. At 22 he is a long-term option for the group and has been schooled under Pep Guardiola and Xavi, two characters close
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