SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Ryan Bertrand is an option for Arsenal this January transfer window (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Arsenal have drawn up a list of left-back options this January including Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand.
Sending Sead Kolasinac out on loan to Schalke 04 was rightly deemed a wise move for all parties. The Bosnian’s form plummeted drastically following an impressive early spell in north London, culminating in all his ‘shop window’ chances leaving broken glass all over the Emirates carpet.
His temporary switch back to Germany was as good as Arsenal could muster in the January window, and while the loan fee and wage sharing helped the cause, a permanent departure would’ve been preferred. The hope remains that this will take place in the summer.
With Kieran Tierney the undisputed first choice left-back, the options in his stead pose less inviting alternatives. Hardly a reassuring option, at least Kolasinac possessed a left foot (this is debatable) with Ainsley Maitland-Niles not the adequate cover Arsenal are after.
Arsenal consider January move for Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand
Now spaces are being freed up in the squad, fresh blood can be targeted this window. A number of options are on the Gunners’ list, including Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand.
Hardly falling under the ‘fresh blood’ tag, the Evening Standard have confirmed that he is under consideration in north London as a potential backup to the Scottish international.
Bertrand is the Saints’ only senior left-back and is currently stalling on a new deal at St Mary’s. Anyone having Cedric Soares flashbacks needn’t rub their eyes, since he too has just six months left on his deal at present.
Locked in talks with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side over a new deal, the full-back is said to be happy to remain on the south coast, although potential offers from a club of Arsenal’s standing are sure to entice.
Any move would have to wait until the summer as the Saints do not want to let their first choice left-back leave mid-season, with a reassessment due at the end of the campaign.
@sr_collings <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/Saintsfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#Saintsfc</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#AFC</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://t.co/c33rq7L8Z6">https://t.co/c33rq7L8Z6
<p>— Jack Rosser (@JackRosser_) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://twitter.com/JackRosser_/status/1352637056401485827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 22, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2>Arsenal consider January move for Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand</h2>
<p>Now spaces are being freed up in the squad, fresh blood can be targeted this window. A number of options are on the Gunners’ list, including Southampton’s <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://fbref.com/en/players/01226327/Ryan-Bertrand?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ryan Bertrand</a>.</p>
<p>Hardly falling under the ‘fresh blood’ tag, the <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-transfer-news-ryan-bertrand-southampton-b900828.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Evening Standard</a> have confirmed that he is under consideration in north London as a potential backup to the Scottish international.</p>
<p>Bertrand is the Saints’ only senior left-back and is currently stalling on a new deal at St Mary’s. Anyone having <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://fbref.com/en/players/839c14e1/Cedric-Soares?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Cedric Soares</a> flashbacks needn’t rub their eyes, since he too has just six months left on his deal at present.</p>
<p>Locked in talks with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side over a new deal, the full-back is said to be happy to remain on the south coast, although potential offers from a club of Arsenal’s standing are sure to entice.</p>
<p>Any move would have to wait until the summer as the Saints do not want to let their first choice left-back leave mid-season, with a reassessment due at the end of the campaign.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Would Bertrand be a wise move? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-110918" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1290052649-1-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Ryan Bertrand" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 07: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Is Ryan Bertrand a Smart Move for Arsenal?</h2>
<p>If it’s this window, then absolutely.</p>
<p>That does appear somewhat unlikely, if not impossible, though, as stated previously. Cover for <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/15/arsenal-dont-tick-without-kieran-tierney/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tierney is paramount</a> in the case of injury and for rotation, and Bertrand, despite his age, is among the best in his position in the division.</p>
<p>The all-important homegrown quota comes into effect too, as the former Chelsea youngster (yes, them again) has played his football in England all of his life.</p>
<p>How long the deal would last for is crucial. Arsenal can’t go dishing out more four-year contracts for players in their latter years, as evidenced by the Willian debacle and, despite being a decent right-back, Cedric to some extent.</p>
<p>The Portuguese defender will be 33 by the time his deal runs out and it’s anyone’s guess what level he’s playing at come that time. If Arsenal are looking at the next season or two then Bertrand more than fits the bill, as it will also allow academy starlet Joel Lopez to head out on loan in the future and develop his game before hopefully returning as Tierney’s backup/successor.</p>
<p>Mind you, this is Arsenal. Going on previous history it would come as <em>zero </em>surprise to see Bertrand offered a monstrous long-term contract. Fortunately, he isn’t a Kia Joorabchian client. Moreover, the introduction of contract expert Richard Garlick as director of football operations later in the year may see some sense injected into that department.</p>
<p>As stated by various outlets, Bertrand isn’t the only option Arsenal are considering, with another younger, rawer name listed as well.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Palace prospect </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-110920" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1228477569-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Tyrick Mitchell" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park on September 12, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Tyrick Mitchell on Arsenal’s List of Targets</h2>
<p>Away from more established options, Crystal Palace defender <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://fbref.com/en/players/5cbd1eb0/Tyrick-Mitchell?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tyrick Mitchell</a> features on the list of targets Arsenal are pursuing this window and beyond.</p>
<p>Usurping <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://fbref.com/en/players/5f09991f/Patrick-van-Aanholt?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Patrick van Aanholt</a> in the Eagles’ first team, the Brentford and Palace academy graduate has emerged as one of the most exciting full-backs in the country this season.</p>
<p>Using recency bias alone, he put in a fine display against the Gunners as the south London club ran a tight ship during the 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium.</p>
<p>Interestingly, the 21-year-old – also homegrown, of course – has just six months left on his deal at Selhurst Park with no agreement made regarding his long-term future. Given the circumstances, the Eagles are dealing with a pack of hovering vultures, one of whom are just north of the river Thames.</p>
<p>A host of Premier League sides are keeping a keen eye on Mitchell, who Roy Hodgson’s side are at risk of losing for free in the summer. If they can be tempted with a low-ball offer in order to accrue funding of any kind, their hand could be forced.</p>
<p>This would be an option more suited to long-term ambitions, and he could continue to develop and learn his trade under Arteta’s tutelage as opposed to being a direct backup option. Impressing with each minute played in the Premier League, his signing would nail down another position in the squad that could then be left to its own devices, much like the left side of central defence where Gabriel Magalhaes and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/22/arsenal-consider-ryan-bertrand-transfer/"https://fbref.com/en/players/aa54ec6f/Pablo-Mari?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Pablo Mari</a> leave no uncertainties.</p>
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<p>An exciting, smart and promising target.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
