3 Young centre-backs Arsenal should target in the summer

Being celebrated for an outstanding characteristic on the football pitch cannot compensate for the fact that there's another area on the turf, where a side is plagued by a pointed paucity, and which significantly impedes their collective progress as a unit. The Emirates Stadium has been a vanguard when it comes to attacking, free-flowing football, providing box-office moments laced with enthralling emotion over the years.

However, what has held them back from mounting a serious tilt for major trophies is their fragility in defence. One of the most monotonous gripes around the Emirates has been the paucity of teak-like defensive solidity which functions without faltering when exposed to a high quality attack.

Naturally, the most prevalent demand from new manager Unai Emery was the establishment of a solid defensive structure which was able to hold its own in moments of adversity and provide a solid platform for endowed attackers to display their attacking proclivity and effectuate proceedings in the final third. The intent of instilling defensive solidity and a steeliness to the shield in front of the back four resonated in the nature of the signings Emery made in the summer.

Sokratis' imposing presence in the heart of defence coupled with Lucas Torreira's dogged determination and tenacity in breaking up menacing passages of play in its infancy and acting as a defensive screen have been instrumental in providing defensive solidity, but there still persists an element of hesitance and indecision in defence which makes Arsenal exploitable and easy to pick apart on the counter.

Laurent Koscielny's progressing years and a dodgy Achilles means he's not the leader he once was and Shkodran Mustafi's poor positioning and lack of anticipation often leads to impetuous lunges which are detrimental to the teams structure whilst defending attacks.

Konstantinos Mavropanos' time at the north London outfit has been plagued by injuries and even though he's considered a bright prospect, the Greek hasn't been able to rack up a substantial amount of game-time to stake a claim for a first-team spot.

The innate fecklessness of the individuals in your ranks shows up eventually, and tactics can only help when you've got the personnel to carry them out successfully.

As such, bringing in a young and promising centre-back through the doors at London Colney who can form a formidable partnership with the experienced Sokratis, and eventually take over as the leader of the defence after a few years should be Arsenal's topmost priority this summer.

Arsenal's insistence of sticking with a self-sustaining model acted as a hackamore and significantly limited their options in the transfer market last summer. With the arms race for securing elite talents becoming fiercer and preposterous every season, it's imperative that Stan Kroenke loosens the purse strings for Emery to help Arsenal get their targets and challenge for major trophies again next season.

Let's have a look at 3 young centre-backs Arsenal should seriously consider signing this summer.

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#1 Nikola Milenkovic

Milenkovic's progress at Fiorentina has caught the eye of Europe's elite clubs.

You know there's something about a player that's alluring when he's continuously compared to Serbian legend Nemanja Vidic and seamlessly takes it all in his stride, without breaking a sweat and flourishing steadily. For Fiorentina's 21-year-old star Nikola Milenkovic, what all these comparisons bring are a crucial need to stay grounded and concentrate on becoming better everyday.

Milenkovic's modesty and poise are a testament to his mental maturity and the belief he possesses in his abilities, which place him in an elite bracket of players despite his tender age and primordial footballing career. He is adept at playing both as a right-back and a centre-back and his versatility will be hugely beneficial for Arsenal and Emery.

One of the most arresting traits about the Serbian is an almost unblemished sense of positioning which ensures he's at the right place, at the right time, thereby preventing forwards from attacking loose balls or affording them any sort of spatial advantage in the final third.

Milenkovic's tall and sturdy frame does not restrict his mobility and the Fiorentina defender is deceptively quick across the ground, with his pace aiding him in mopping up possession at the back and make crucial overlaps during his doubling-up act as a right-back for the Florence outfit.

Good agility, immaculate concentration and superb decision making which helps him come out on top in one-on-one duels. Milenkovic ensures that he faces the attacker sidewards, thereby maintaining the perfect distance between himself and the forward when isolated.This helps him force the aggressor outward towards the wing, allowing other defenders to track back and get back into their respective positions.

A proactive defender who doesn't shy away from pressing attackers and forces them back into their own half, Milenkovic is often seen making optimum use of his long legs to intercept passes which attackers wouldn't usually expect him to cut off.

Arsenal will face stiff competition from the likes of Atletico Madrid and Manchester United for the signature of the hugely talented Serbian, with the Los Rojiblancos and Red Devils known to be long-term admirers of the 21-year-old. As per reports, United even had a bid in excess of £50 million rejected by La Viola last summer.

#2 Ibrahima Konate

Konate has formed a solid partnership with compatriot Upamecano at Leipzig this season.

Having recognized his potential at the back of a dozen performances for Sochaux, RB Leipzig purchased 19-year-old French teenager Ibrahima Konate in the summer of 2017. An injury to club captain Willi Orban paved the way for his inclusion in the starting eleven alongside compatriot Dayot Upamecano.

Through a fascinating concoction of incredible natural ability and an extremely unique skill-set, Konate has made the centre-back position his own and is an integral cog at the heart of Die Roten Bulen's defence.

A classic exemplar of what a modern defender stands for, the Ivorian's colossal array of abilities make him an extremely enticing vendible amongst clubs looking to build their defence for the foreseeable future.

Incredible dribbling skills help him make progressive surges with the ball at his feet, piercing through the heart of the pitch and advancing play from the defensive third to the final third. This, coupled with the ability to break lines with incisive, beautifully weighted passes add to Konate's enviable armory of skills.

The Parisian will be capable of fortifying Arsenal's back-line irrespective of the framework he finds himself in due to his athletic frame which helps him gain supremacy when pitted against physical specimens, whilst his pace and acceleration from a static position ensures that he can chase and keep up with balls played in behind the defence whilst operating in a high-line.

Konate is adept at winning offensive duels, courtesy of his 6'2" frame, and is fouled more often than his contemporaries because of how involved he is in constructing play.

It'll be interesting to see if Leipzig are willing to part with their prized asset, given his superb performances in the Rückrunde and the prospect of him forming a formidable partnership with Upamecano which can aid Leipzig for years the come.

Arsenal scouts have been present at various Leipzig games through the course of the season and Emery is believed to be a huge admirer of the French teenager.

There's no doubt that Konate would bring an entirely new dimension to the Gunners' back-line. A sumptuous blend of physical and technical attributes can help him ensconce his name in the heart of Arsenal's defense for years to come if Emery decides to bite the bullet and convince the Leipzig starlet to move over to north London.

#3 Ruben Dias

Ruben Dias is the latest star to emerge from Benfica's famed academy and is coveted by many European powerhouses.

In an era where ball-playing centre backs are revered and considered indispensable commodities, tenacity and efficacy are two attributes which are considered passable and not given precedence.

Benfica's Ruben Dias coalesces both of the aforementioned qualities impeccably and is a throwback to the old school centre back who focuses on making his presence discernible to every attacker on the pitch. That's not to say he isn't capable of building from the back.

Quite often, the crowd at Estadio da Luz have witnessed the 21-year-old pinging accurate cross-field balls up to the attackers and have also applauded the academy stars willingness to carry the ball out of defence before instigating attacks.

A real leader on the pitch, Dias is the latest star to emerge from Benfica's famed academy and is tipped to reach the zenith of the footballing universe by coaches at the Lisbon club. Although, a bone of contention often associated with Dias is his aggressive and unforgiving in his approach.

The Portuguese starlet is often criticized for his overtly domineering presence and indecisive nature at times. However, at 21, it's obvious that Dias will mature and iron out these concerns as he keeps registering minutes under his belt whilst playing and training alongside accomplished individuals through the course of his career.

There was a bit of softness associated with Arsenal at the club in the final decade of Arsene Wenger's reign at the club. Emery's recruitment's in the summer indicate an attempt to abdicate that image and the acquisition of Dias will only aid the Spanish tactician in his endeavors of making Arsenal ruthless and resolute.

A whole host of European superpowers are believed to be queuing up to procure the services of the talented Portuguese and Arsenal will have to come up with a sizable package to prise Dias away from Lisbon.