On paper, Arsenal’s current tally of centre-backs stands at a respectable five.
And that is without including Takehiro Tomiyasu and Sead Kolasinac, a pair of versatile, tough-tackling full-backs who have, in the past, demonstrated an ability to slot into a more central role.
But, with just over a fortnight remaining in the January transfer window, five could become four. Four could even become three.
Though Flamengo ruled out a move for Pablo Mari earlier this week, the Spaniard could still depart before this month.
AC Milan and Villarreal have been linked.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, however, Udinese are currently in pole position. Mari, who has not made a Premier League appearance since being ragdolled by Romelu Lukaku in August, appears to be heading to Italy.
Calum Chambers’ future in North London remains similarly uncertain. The long-serving stopper is out of contract next summer with Everton lining up a cut-price swoop.
Should Mari or Chambers depart – there is a chance that both could go – that will suddenly leave Arsenal looking a little short at centre-half.
Would Wolves defender Willy Boly fit in at Arsenal?
The availability of Willy Boly, then, may give Arteta some food for thought.
The Sun reported back in October 2019 that Wolves’ Ivory Coast international had registered on Arsenal’s radar.
Albeit that was two months before Arteta was hired as Unai Emery’s full-time replacement in North London.
Two years on, Boly does not exactly enjoy the same reputation, inside or outside of Molineux.
Thanks to injuries and the form of Conor Coady, Romain Saiss and Max Kilman, Boly has not played a single league game this season.
Has Willy Boly played his final league game for Wolves?
And, according to The Mail, Bruno Lage is ready to cash in on the long-serving stopper. The former Porto ace will turn 31 in February.
Now, Boly may be the wrong side of 30 but does not mean he doesn’t still have plenty to offer.
A player of his experience and defensive nous would represent an immediate upgrade on the unconvincing Chambers or Mari. He’d even allow Arteta to switch from a back-four to a back-three if required.
And while Boly is renowned for his aerial strength rather than his distribution, his pass completion rate is not too dissimilar from the likes of Ben White or Gabriel Magalhaes (WhoScored).
In the summer of 2020, Boly chuckled at reports linking him with Arsenal, pointing out that he still had a big part to play at Wolves.
18 months later, one would assume he would not be so quick to laugh off any interest from the London giants.
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