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Exclusives
Arsenal set sights on Brentford defender deemed a ‘born leader’
TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Arsenal have been hugely impressed by one of Brentford’s defenders this season.
The Gunners have been working hard to identify potential targets across all areas of the pitch ahead of the summer transfer window.
Attack and midfield are set to be Arsenal’s priority in the close season, but defence is also an area Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta will be looking at.
Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen is one such player in Arsenal’s sights, but he’s not the only defender on their radar.
Arsenal impressed by Brentford defender Nathan Collins
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has revealed that Arsenal are looking closely at Brentford defender Nathan Collins.
The Irish international defender has been one of Brentford’s stand-out performers this season under Thomas Frank.
Arsenal are doing work on potential long-term successors to both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes – both linked with big-money moves away.
Arsenal want extra depth in central defence, aside from Saliba and Gabriel, and are one of the clubs interested in Bournemouth’s Huijsen.
However, TBR Football can reveal that Brentford’s Collins is a player they have also been hugely impressed with.
We are told by sources that Collins is attracting the attention from a number of Brentford’s Premier League rivals and we can confirm one of them as Arsenal.
Sources claim the Gunners love the 23-year-old’s profile and have been watching him closely in 2025.
What Nathan Collins could bring to Arsenal
Collins has made a real name for himself as one of the Premier League’s best young defenders from a club outside the conventional ‘Big Six’.
At just 23 years of age, he already has 171 competitive club appearances for all clubs to his name, along with 28 caps for the Republic of Ireland, who he has been captaining in Seamus Coleman’s absence.
Collins is Premier League-proven, having made 109 English top-flight appearances to date, and he has played every minute of Brentford’s Premier League campaign so far this term.
Collins leads the way in the Premier League for shots blocked (48) and is third for clearances (187) and aerial battles won (101), as per the league’s official .
Meanwhile, the official Brentford has described the 6ft 4in defender as a ‘born leader’ – he has captained his nation seven times to date.
In addition, Collins still holds the record as Stoke City’s youngest ever captain, having worn the armband aged just 18 and 105 days for a Carabao Cup tie against Wigan Athletic.