Arsenal have been busy this summer, and according to reports, the Gunners want to sign Lisandro Martinez following the arrival of Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus.
The Ajax defender is wanted by Mikel Arteta as well as Manchester United, with Erik Ten Hag eager to sign his former star player as the Dutch coach looks to rebuild the Red Devils this summer, with the two Premier League sides set to duke it out for the Argentine.
With Arsenal missing out on Leeds United talisman Raphinha to either FC Barcelona or Chelsea, the Gunners will not want to same to happen to Martinez, who could be an outstanding signing given the defender’s incredible versatility in the backline and his perfect age.
And it’s this trait we will be looking at today. Should Arsenal sign Martinez, where could the Argentine international play for the Gunners, and what systems would suit the £40m if he is to move to the Premier League giants this summer.
Kieran Tierney’s injury replacement at left-back
One of the biggest selling points for Martinez as a player is his ability to play left-back, and given Kieran Tierney’s injury record and Nuno Tavares’ mixed for, the Ajax star could be a perfect fullback cover for next season.
Indeed, the Scottish international has spent close to half his time at Arsenal out on the treatment table, and signing Martinez will give Arteta a lot of freedom to rest Tierney if he has a knock or needs to be rested.
With Tavares reportedly set to go out on loan, Martinez is the perfect replacement for the Portuguese youth international for next season, with Tierney almost guaranteed to spend a lengthy spell out on the sideline in the upcoming campaign.
Gabriel Magalhaes rotation and partner for William Saliba
Left-back cover might be the most intriguing thing about Arsenal signing Martinez, but it’s easy to forget that the Ajax star is still one of the best centre-backs in Europe outside the big top-five leagues, and this could mean Arteta starting the defender in the centre of the backline.
Whilst Gabriel Magalhaes will likely be the main starting left-sided centre-back, Martinez could be an incredible cover for the Brazilian next season, with the 24-year-old also an ideal player to partner alongside William Saliba, who is set to return to Arsenal this summer.
With the Gunners back in Europe and Arteta likely to rotate heavily throughout the season, Martinez could be a great centre-back option for Arsenal and a fantastic option to have off the bench should something happen to Gabriel.
Cover for Thomas Partey at defensive midfield
Accomplished at centre-back and left-back this along is enough to get Arsenal fans excited about Martinez, yet the Argentine has one more trick up his sleeve, that being his ability to also play at defensive midfield.
Just like with Tierney, Thomas Partey feels like he’s spent the majority of his time at Arsenal out injured, with this season the first real time supporters have seen the true quality of the £50m midfielder, yet in typical fashion, the Ghanaian was ruled out for the season at the most important time.
Whilst Mohamed Elneny did well to cover for Partey, Martinez would be a noticeable upgrade on the Egyptian, and with the Argentine flourishing in the role for Ajax in his early years with the club, the 24-year-old is an ideal player to play defensive midfield should Arsenal again be hit by the injury curse.
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