Arsenal Reportedly Showing Interest in Feyenoord Defender Bruno Martins Indi

Arsenal are keeping close tabs on Feyernoord's Bruno Martins Indi, according to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail.

The 21-year-old centre-back has been tracked by Everton and was heavily linked with a deadline-day move to Goodison Park, as Gary Jones reported in the Daily Star, although no transfer ever materialised.

While the Toffees are believed to remain keen on the Dutch international, interest from Arsenal would be a problem for Roberto Martinez.

Mokbel provides a description of the player, quoting former Gunners star Giovanni van Bronckhorst—now a coach at Feyenoord:

"

He is very good and strong. It is not for nothing he's a first-choice here and with the Dutch national team. He will make the move to a foreign club in the long term.

When the time comes and he wants to leave, he will leave the club. We are very happy with him, but we know we cannot compete with the top European clubs.

"

Strength is indeed one of Martins Indi's best assets, and after watching him play it's easy to imagine him reveling in the physicality of the Premier League.

He's very left-sided, capable of playing at left-back, and it's understandable that Everton would covet him as a long-term replacement for the 35-year-old Sylvain Distin.

Martins Indi is also predictably imperious in the air, boasts surprisingly polished technique and is quick enough to cover most strikers.

Arsenal's own left-sided centre-back, Thomas Vermaelen, has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form and has remained on the bench behind Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. Vermaelen never fully regained his starting berth, having been dropped after last season's home defeat to Bayern Munich, although he hasn't always been fit.

Injuries and suspensions have already left the Gunners depleted at centre-back this season, with Bacary Sagna even filling in. If the current Premier League leaders intend on prolonging their fine start, then this scenario cannot be repeated and must be addressed in January.

After much criticism for not acting faster, Arsene Wenger eventually brought in Mesut Ozil and Mathieu Flamini in the summer, both of whom have been integral to Arsenal's flying start.

Centre-back and striker remain two areas the Gunners could still do with bolstering. Adding a player of Martins Indi's calibre would ignite their season further in January.