Arteta says Arsenal on the lookout for a new left-back

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted that the club are looking to sign a new full-back to provide competition for first-choice Kieran Tierney.

In January, the Gunners have been active in the transfer market, with departures at least, as Mesut Ozil and Sokratis Papastathopoulos have had their contracts mutually terminated, while William Saliba and Sead Kolasinac have both left on loan.

The exit of Kolasinac in particular has left Arsenal short of options at left-back, as although Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Bukayo Saka have played their previously, Arteta would like a more conventional defender brought in.

“We are a little bit short with left-footed full-backs,” the Spaniard said on Thursday.

“We know we can use Ainsley [Maitland-Niles] there, we can use Bukayo [Saka] there, we can use Cedric, who has played in that position. We have some options.

“The natural option is Kieran [Tierney] but we can adapt. That option is open are we are looking to see what is available.

“We are looking at various positions because the movements we have made in this transfer window, with some players leaving the club, leaves us a little bit short in certain areas.

“So if we can, we will do it, and if we can’t, we’ll just keep going with what we have.”

This week, Arsenal have been linked with a loan move for Martin Odegaard, but Arteta distances himself from those rumours, saying:

“I cannot comment about players that play for other clubs,” he responded when asked about Odegaard in a press conference on Thursday.

“We are looking at various positions because the movement we have made in this window with some players leaving the club has left us a little bit short in certain areas.

“So if we can, we will do it and if we can’t, we will keep going with what we have.”

Thought Arsenal are in a good run of form, winning four of their last five, they have had a disappointing campaign overall and sit 10th in the Premier League.