“A lot to like” about Arsenal defensive target

There is a lot to like about Jarell Quansah.

Still only 23, he is homegrown with top level experience in both the Premier League and Bundesliga at centre back and right back.

At 6 3, Quansah is strong and athletic. He is is very good in buildup, comfortable under pressure, receiving from the keeer and progressing the ball through the midfield. He is certainly a lot closer to what William Saliba gives us compared to Cristian Mosquera.

A rumoured fee of £40-45m feels a lot more sensible than the £70m Aston Villa are demanding for Ezri Konsa, who is nearly 29.

Quansah has the added bonus of also having played a lot of games at right back. I still expect Ben White to stay, but Quansah would give us additional cover there.

Mosquera has shown himself as more of a Gabriel than a Saliba. A player who wants to be aggressive, feel contact and attack the ball. Defences are all about partnerships and we have seen in pre-season that Gabriel and Mosquera doesn’t really work. I think the Spaniard will move to the left side and become Gabriel’s understudy.

Some will say “Marli Salmon deserved a chance”. No. He is just 16. Let him continue to develop. He is the future. But he is not ready now. Let him make his mistakes in the U21 and then out on loan. He has another 4 or 5 years of development ahead of him.