Report: Defenders that Mikel Arteta will have to sell to make way for Dayot Upamecano

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta will be hoping to bring in a new centre back in the summer transfer window and most reports have claimed that the North Londoners are interested in RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano since he has been impressive in the German Bundesliga this season. Arteta requires a number of things from his centre backs and being good with the ball is one of the main ones, and so this is one of the reasons why they are pursuing Dayot Upamecano.

It is still not confirmed that Arsenal will sign Dayot Upamecano but they did receive a boost in their pursuit of the French defender after it was reported that he is interested in a move to the Premier League. So we today take a look at defenders that Arteta will have to sell in the summer in order to fund and make way for Dayot Upamecano.

1. SOKRATIS PAPASTATHOPOULOS

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Sokratis of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Sokratis Papastathopoulos was Arsenal’s best defender last season but he has however struggled this season as he has made a number of mistakes that have directly led to goals and the arrival of Mikel Arteta has shown how he might not fit the new Arsenal as the new boss has favored Shkodran Mustafi over him in the recent games since the German is better with the ball at his feet.

Arsenal’s current backline is old and so the gunners will be hoping to welcome new blood in William Saliba and hopefully Dayot Upamecano and so Sokratis Papastathopoulos could be sold in the summer since he is currently 31 years old and he has lost his form from last season.

2. ROB HOLDING

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Rob Holding of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Rob Holding was impressive in the first few months under Unai Emery in a back three but he however missed the rest of the 2018/19 season after he got injured at the Old Trafford in November, 2018 and he has since then never been the same. Holding is fully right now but he has however failed to get back into the starting eleven and early signs show that gunners new head coach Mikel Arteta might not be a big fan of him.

Rob Holding leaving would however hurt the fans more than if Sokratis did since he has become a fan favourite after he had an incredible performance and as well as bullying Diego Costa in the FA Cup final in 2017.