It's hardly controversial to claim that Arsenal boast the strongest defence in the Premier League.
The Gunners' iron-clad backline have formed the bedrock of Mikel Arteta's title-challenging outfit, runners-up three years in a row. This season feels different, though, and Arsenal have climbed six points free of Manchester City and Aston Villa behind them after the term's midpoint, with a hunger and squad depth that hasn't quite been matched by their divisional rivals.
Arteta hankers for more, and understandably so. The London club's injury list is starting to stretch, and a spate of fitness setbacks hamstrung Arsenal in their title chase last year.
Perhaps that's why the likes of David Ornstein have confirmed Arsenal are interested in signing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Why Arsenal want Marc Guehi
Manchester City and Liverpool have been the clear frontrunners in the race for Guehi, 25, who is set to leave Palace on a free transfer this summer, or depart for a fee this month.
But Arsenal have now registered their interest, with The Athletic confirming technical director Andrea Berta has been in contact with the player's representatives after the Emirates side's bagful of injuries.
However, any deal would likely be struck during the summer, and by then, the storm should have passed. While the Three Lions talent would be a brilliant addition, is it the most pressing need, given the strength of Arteta's first-choice options?
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi
Chelsea know a thing or two about letting top talents leave prematurely. Guehi, after all, left Stamford Bridge for Palace in 2021.
With this in mind - and the fact Arsenal boast two of the finest centre-halves in the world in Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba - Arteta might feel that missing out on Guehi wouldn't be the be-all and end-all, given the calibre of academy prospect waiting to break through.
Arsenal already have a homegrown Guehi
Arsenal's Hale End academy is one of the strongest and most prolific throughout Europe. Bukayo Saka, who has just signed a new five-year contract at the club, is the poster boy, but he is trailed by Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman in north London, among others.
Saka
Now, Marli Salmon could be the next in line, having gone from strength to strength as Arsenal's star defensive prospect in the academy scene.
The 16-year-old came off the bench during the club's 3-0 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League, and he has been an unused substitute across two Premier League matches.
It's worth noting that Salmon is very young and still has so much development to go through. Even so, his quality is indisputable, and there's every chance that he could grow into a defender every bit as talented and lauded as his much-older compatriot Guehi.
Youngest Arsenal Debutants under Mikel Arteta
Player
Ethan Nwaneri
Max Dowman
Marli Salmon
Andre Harriman-Annous
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Data via Transfermarkt
He keeps good company with that one. Salmon, in fact, has already been singled out for the "amazing" progress he has made while training and learning with the first team by club captain Martin Odegaard, who knows a thing or two about development as a precocious teenager.
He's already been given a number of opportunities to impress during pre-season, and he took them. Now, Salmon is but a step away from gripping onto a seat in Arteta's senior set-up and beginning to demonstrate his talent on the major stage.
Hailed by analyst and scout Ben Mattinson as being "the best centre-back Hale End has produced", it's safe to say Salmon has the world at his feet, and his emergence might just preclude what could become a messy and taxing battle for England's current defensive star.
Arsenal may well have an even better one.
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