Arsenal started last season with seven players capable of playing left-back in their squad.
That number will drop to six at the start of next month when Kieran Tierney completes a free transfer to Celtic and could halve before the coming campaign begins. Much like the Scotland international was this time last year, three of them are approaching the final 12 months of their current contracts.
Of those, Oleksandr Zinchenko is likely to depart this summer transfer window. Meanwhile, the expectation is that Takehiro Tomiyasu will remain out for the rest of this year while recovering from another knee surgery.
The third, Myles Lewis-Skelly, is said to be the latest future free agent Real Madrid plans on signing. Our colleagues at the Mirror now report that AC Milan enquired about Riccardo Calafiori.
However, the Gunners reputedly shot down that approach, while the player purportedly prefers staying in London anyway. However, that move is said to be why Milan are pursuing Zinchenko.
They are allegedly pushing to get a deal done for the Ukraine international despite the player's wages, reportedly over £200,000 per week, proving to be a sticking point. Jakub Kiwior could also return to Italy, with Serie A clubs constantly linked with the former Spezia player.
Jurrien Timber is the only option whose long-term future seems secure. However, he may not evenstart pre-season on time after having ankle surgery last month.
He is also a right-back, much like Lewis-Skelly is a midfielder, the area where his future lies. As such, a left-back could join this summer.
Jorrel Hato is the name that immediately comes to mind, albeit Chelsea and Liverpool are other Premier League clubs linked with the teenage Ajax defender. Arsenal may well be the most attractive proposition, though, such is their lack of depth in his position.