Arsenal are chasing a top-four finish in the Premier League in Unai Emery’s first season in charge of the club.
The Gunners, after losing their first two games of the season, went on a 22-game unbeaten run. However, long-term injuries to key players like Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck disrupted their momentum and Unai Emery is now striving hard to get Arsenal a place in the top four, whilst winning the Europa League.
Come summer, Emery needs to reinforce his squad to make the Gunners title contenders in the 2019/20 campaign. One area the Spanish tactician must prioritise addressing is the defence, which hasn’t been convincing at all this season. And in defence, the left-back position asks for a long-term solution with Nacho Monreal out of contract at the end of the season and Sead Kolasinac excellent going forward but erratic defensively.
The Gunners could do well with a new left-back and Rennes star Ramy Bensebaini fits the bill perfectly at the Emirates.
Ramy Bensebaini, 23, earlier this month admitted he almost joined Arsenal back in 2015, and the only thing that ended up stopping him was paperwork problems as a result of his nationality. Things have changed a lot since his trial with the north Londoners and the Algerian was recently part of the famous Rennes’ 3-1 win over the Gunners in the Europa League.
The 23-year-old dished out a solid display at left-back for the French club earlier this week that should prompt Arsenal to make an attempt to sign him this summer. In Ramy Bensebaini, Emery would get a solid, strong and intelligent left-back who is also adept at playing in central defence.
Able to play both short passes and long, intercepting attacks and ability to turn defence into attack, the Algeria international has good positional awareness and reads the game well. The 23-year-old can play the ball out from the back and is generally a reliable customer to have in defence, something which Emery expects from his defenders.
To put things into perspective, Bensebaini would be a solid signing for Arsenal as the north London outfit are in dire need of bolstering their defensive ranks. The Algerian has already shown a lot of potential in France and he fits the profile of a young and promising player to replace Monreal, whilst providing competition and cover for Kolasinac.
