Arsenal have announced that Konstantinos Mavropanos has left the Emirates Stadium on loan – some of the Gunners faithful think this could be a precursor to a new centre-back arriving.
A number of Arsenal fans have been commenting on the Gunners announcement regarding Konstantinos Mavropanos, who has joined 2.Bundesliga side FC Nuremberg on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 22-year-old defender and Greece Under-21 international joined Arsenal from PAS Giannina in January 2018, but injury issues have led to him making just eight first-team appearances with the North London club, much of his game time coming for the Under-23s (Transfermarkt).
Mavropanos has effectively slipped down to sixth choice at the Emirates Stadium under new boss Mikel Arteta, who is reportedly considering signing a defender in the January window after Calum Chambers was ruled out for up to nine months with a knee injury.
With Shkodran Mustafi also being linked with the Arsenal exit door (The Mirror), some Arsenal fans are hoping, and indeed believing, that Mavropanos’ departure, which frees up room in the Gunners roster, is a precursor to a new centre-back coming in.
Here is some of the reaction on social media:
Great, mustafi also going, which means we will sign a defender soon
— Mohammed10☪️ (@GrMohammed10) 13 January 2020
So surely this means we’re signing a new centre back? ♂️♂️♂️
— (@FtblKyle_) 13 January 2020
Good luck Dinos.
— saxon71 (@stuafc71) 13 January 2020
But surely this means we need 1 more in.
Especially with @CalumChambers95 injury/situation
The player deserving loan are many…
— Moh rasheed (@Morasheed10) 13 January 2020
Willok
Goundouzi
Saka
Nketiah
But we choose to loan out the only CB cover once the Two Aging CB get injured?
Surely this will only mean New CB is coming
Defo getting a new defender
— Tommy♂️ (@twryan1989) 13 January 2020
So, Mavropanos is on loan, Mustafi is apparently heading out too, Chambers is out for 9 months. That leaves, Sokratis, Holding and Luiz. Not much depth there. Any chance of a new signing?
— Charlie (@C_harlie1) 13 January 2020
Holding Mustafi Luiz and Sokratis the only remaining cb options. We’re definitely getting a cb in January. Let’s goooo
— Abhimeyang™ (@abhim3yang) 13 January 2020
Really hope we have a replacement
— Varun (@varuntheflash) 13 January 2020
Why are we loaning the only second choice CB we have? Surely upamecano must come now that we have only 3 old CB who cant guarantee thier good form or fitness!
— Moh rasheed (@Morasheed10) 13 January 2020
Announce upamecano
We better be getting a new CB
— Sahil Kumar (@sahilkumar122) 13 January 2020
As reported by the Arsenal website, Mavropanos has featured in recent first-team matchday squads and started in the Gunners’ 2-2 draw away to Standard Liege in the UEFA Europa League in December, also making 11 appearances for the Under-23s this season.
In other news, Thomas Doll backs Timo Werner for Liverpool move