3 defenders Arsenal should look to sign to replace Shkodran Mustafi

#1 German Pezzella

The Fiorentina man is among the best performers in his position in the Serie A

The Argentine defender has been a huge success since arriving in Italy during the summer of 2017. Last season was the year that the central defender established himself and broke his way into the Argentina national team, only injury stopped him from going to the World Cup in Russia, where perhaps he would have made himself more known to fans across England and Europe. His colossal performances have certainly enhanced his reputation and is now considered among the most consistent central defenders in the world of football.

This season the Florence club gave the captains armband to Pezzella, a role in which he has certainly thrived upon. Fiorentina currently are tenth in the Serie A, and they boast the fourth best defensive record in the league and Pezzella plays a massive role in this. Alternating between a back 3 and a back four, Pezzella is comfortable and assured in any system in which he has been used. His dominance and commanding defending centrally, has a big impact on how the Fiorentina team play, his abilities to lead from the defence would benefit Arsenal and Emery massively.

The partnership Pezzella has established with Vitor Hugo has been extremely consistent and they have a real solid partnership, the prospect of partnering Pezzella with Sokratis as a two man defence would be a much needed upgrade on what Arsenal have to offer right now. Pezzella possesses all the qualities that Arsenal need in the defence and especially to play the style of football that the new manager has brought to North London.

His calmness in possession allows him to build up play from the back and is always willing to take possession of the ball in any circumstance on the pitch. Pezzella reads the game outstandingly well from the back, cutting out crosses both aerially and low, he wins 50/50 duels and with his experience and leadership, he can have his defensive line moving up the pitch.

With his turn of pace this allows for the whole defence to play slightly further forward, a flaw in the game of Arsenal who generally sit fairly deep with the defenders that are available to them. The one-time Real Betis defender would not break the bank for Arsenal and must be in the thinking when it comes to bringing in someone to add quality and a love for defending to the team.