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‘He’s a priority’: Arteta really wants £43m player, he thinks he’s ‘perfect’ for Arsenal – Romano

Shamanth Jayaram

Tue 28 June 2022 13:15, UK

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Mikel Arteta truly believes Lisandro Martinez is perfect for Arsenal.

Things are really coming together for the Gunners. After a quiet few weeks, Edu has gone and completed the signings of Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira and Matt Turner, while a deal for Gabriel Jesus could well be announced today.

Arteta’s side aren’t stopping at just that, they’re keen to strengthen the left side of their defence as well.

Ajax star Martinez is reportedly the for that role this summer, and if Romano’s words are to be believed, Arteta thinks he’s the perfect player for Arsenal.

• Report: Arsenal ‘now determined’ to beat Manchester United to £50m player after spending two months on deal

Fabrizio Romano: Mikel Arteta thinks Lisandro Martinez is perfect for Arsenal

Speaking on the , Romano said: “For sure, he’s a player they want.

“They were having new direct contacts with his agents. They are working on Lisandro Martinez since a long time.

“He’s a priority for Arsenal on the market after Gabriel Jesus. As of now, Arsenal are really pushing for Lisandro, he’s a player they consider perfect because he could be a centre-back and also play as a number six.

“He’s a player who can be really interesting for Mikel Arteta’s ideas.

“I’m told Ajax’s price tag is €50 million (£43m).”

• ‘Arsenal is the most probable destination’: Ornstein makes claim about ‘commanding’ £43m player

TBR View:

One of the biggest problems Arsenal faced in the back end of last season was at left-back. Kieran Tierney suffered a season-ending injury, and young Nuno Tavares had to take his place.

The Portuguese full-back really struggled at times and lost confidence. That left Arteta in a difficult spot, and he turned to the likes of Granit Xhaka, Cedric Soares and Takehiro Tomiyasu to play there.

With European football back at the Emirates next season, Arsenal simply cannot afford to do that again. That’s one of the reasons why Arteta is so keen to sign Martinez, who can play at left-back, left-centre-half and also in defensive midfield.

Arsenal are right to target Martinez, but whether the Gunners will be able to get this deal over the line remains to be seen.

• ‘Arsenal are really strongly in for him’: Ornstein says Arteta seriously wants to sign ‘excellent’ defender