Mikel Arteta is still deep in a crucial window for the future of his team. The market has not yet moved strongly, but Arsenal already has clear lines. Arsenal want goals, that much is clear. They are looking for a match-breaking striker and a left-footed winger who can add to their attacking threat.
But while those attacking players are the focus, another quiet but important avenue is opening up: strengthening the defence on the left. With several departures on the horizon, the coaching staff does not want to fall short and has already had a clear name on the agenda for weeks.
Arsenal Are Favorites To Land Ajax Player In The Summer
According to Team Talk, the Gunners are in a good position to sign Jorrel Hato. The young Dutch centre-back from Ajax, who can also play as a left-back, is very much liked by Arteta. The interest is not new, but more concrete. Chelsea and Liverpool have also followed him, but Arsenal plan to overtake them all in this race. The price, however, will be high: €50 million. Ajax do not plan to lower it. In the meantime, Zinchenko and Kiwior could leave this summer, which would open holes that Hato could fill from day one. His profile fits the style the Spanish coach is looking for.
Opinion:
There is an inevitability surrounding such decisions – should Arsenal spend so much on an 19-year-old defender when their stated priority is to strengthen the attack? In normal circumstances, you’d think that money would be better spent on a top striker. But football is not about fixed rosters, it’s about opportunity. If Hato is available, and if his conditions fit as they seem to, then it makes sense for Arsenal to go for him.
Zinchenko has not convinced as a reliable option in defence, and Kiwior has been more of a stopgap than a solution. If they both leave, Hato is not just a signing: he is a necessity. He can grow under the tutelage of Arteta, who has shown that he knows how to mould young players with calmness and demand. In addition, having a left-sided centre-back with a clean start, physical projection and room for improvement ensures balance for many years to come.
And the rivals? Liverpool are still very busy with Milos Kerkez, while Chelsea are distracted by the Club World Cup. That gives Arsenal a clear advantage. If they move now, they can seal the deal before the price rises or the competition reacts. In conclusion, if the club believes Hato can be a starter in two years and a key long-term player, the €50m is an investment, not an expense. And if it also frees up players like Lewis-Skelly for other roles, even better. We must take advantage of this gap. Because in the market, doubts are expensive.