Arsenal were reluctant to target Brighton and Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey or Max Aarons of Norwich City this summer due to the pair’s height, according to The Athletic.
Mikel Arteta and the Gunners’ recruitment team spent months scouting for a suitable right-back to improve the Spaniard’s options. Ultimately, Arteta urged Arsenal to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna, with the Japan international arriving for £16m on Deadline Day.
Arsenal first contacted Bologna to discuss the 22-year-old around eight weeks ago before ramping up – eventually successful – negotiations on Tuesday. But in those two in-between months, they also considered Lamptey, Aarons and Kieran Trippier of Atletico Madrid.
However, internal discussions at the Emirates Stadium threw up concerns over Arsenal signing Lamptey or Aarons. Neither, the Brighton speedster or Norwich product, suited the Gunners’ desired profile for being able to command the air.
Gunners chiefs were concerned the 20 and 21-year-olds lacked the height and ability in the air they felt was needed. The north Londoners worked with a very defined profile in mind, and did not want a right-sided Kieran Tierney who regularly charges up into the final-third.
Tomiyasu eventually stood out to Arteta as he will serve as a hybrid right-come-centre-back once he arrives in the capital. Predominantly, the Japan international will feature as a full-back, but will move in centrally when the Gunners have the ball. At 6 ft 2, he also has the height Arteta wanted and is somewhat dual-footed, so should help transition possession.
Arsenal were not Lamptey or Aarons’ only admirers this summer, but Brighton and Norwich were able to fend off interest. The Seagulls wanting around £50m for Lamptey, per the Daily Mail, and Canaries valuing Aarons at close to £30m, per Sky Sports, likely helped.
Were Arsenal right to overlook Aarons and Lamptey over their height?
Arteta will feel he got the right option in Tomiyasu, for now, as the Japanese gives height at right-back. Time will tell if Arsenal were right to sign the 22-year-old from Bologna over one of Lamptey or Aarons, though.
Lamptey has shown electric pace and offered four assists in 19 Premier League games since joining Brighton in January 2020. He also amazed Neal Maupay, who claimed via BBC Sport: “He was everywhere [against Newcastle]. This kid doesn’t have limits.”
But the Chelsea product has also been out since December with a hamstring injury, offering another possible concern. Arteta was not alone in questioning signing the Englishman this summer due to his height, either.
The Liverpool Echo reported Carlo Ancelotti was similarly cautious to green light a move while still in charge at Everton. As, like Arteta, the Italian wanted a taller option to command the air, but Lamptey is only 5 ft 5. Seven inches shorter than new Gunners man Tomiyasu.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
