Arsenal Transfer News: Jonny Evans, Shkodran Mustafi Latest After Gabriel Injury

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly seeking to sign a new centre-back by Friday, with Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi and West Bromwich Albion’s Jonny Evans said to be in the frame. 

According to Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror, with the club suffering a spate of injuries at the back, the manager wants to make a swift addition in this area. It’s suggested Evans could be available for around £15 million, while Mustafi would likely cost in the region of £25 million.

The Gunners find themselves in a defensive crisis following the injury suffered by Gabriel Paulista against Manchester City on Sunday; it means he’ll miss Sunday’s Premier League opener against Liverpool along with Per Mertesacker, while Laurent Koscielny is also a doubt.

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Kajumba added that Wenger could make moves for both Evans and Mustafi should the Brazilian be set for a long spell on the sidelines.

Of the two players linked, Mustafi is the bigger name and the man most Arsenal supporters would surely like to see the club target. These are the kind of defensive qualities he would bring to the team:

The Germany international has made encouraging progress in his career and was one of the standout defenders in La Liga last season. While technically sound, Mustafi is a player who relishes the art of defending; when in close proximity to attackers the 24-year-old excels, tracking runs brilliantly, timing tackles and sniffing out danger.

Alongside someone such as Koscielny, also a dynamic defender, he could give Arsenal a combative base this term if he did come in. Having won the FIFA World Cup with Germany in 2014, Mustafi is also experienced at the highest level. Sport Witness believe he’d be a sound choice for the Gunners:

Evans is not the kind of player that will quicken pulses at the Emirates Stadium, although he shouldn’t be totally written off as an option for the Gunners.

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After all, if Wenger is keen to bring in a defender who has proven Premier League experience, the former Manchester United man could be ideal. Indeed, the Northern Ireland international was a solid operator for the Red Devils and was excellent for West Brom in his debut season at the club.

Evans, 28, is another player who’s been part of title-winning squads, an honour Arsenal haven’t won since 2004. Squawka Football’s Greg Johnson believes the centre-back would do well at the club:

Either way, with Calum Chambers and Rob Holding the club’s only fit centre-backs on the brink of a vital season for Arsenal, Wenger must act decisively to bring in some reinforcements.

Here’s a look at how Evans and Mustafi compared last term to Mertesacker and Koscielny in league matches:

	Evans	Mustafi	Koscielny	Mertesacker
Apps (Sub)	30	30	33	24
Goals	1	2	4	0
Tackles per game	2.4	2.7	1.4	1.1
Interceptions per game	3	4.4	3.8	1.5
Clearances per game	3.4	5.3	5.6	4.5
Blocks per game	0.9	0.7	0.8	0.4
Aerial duels won per game	1.8	3	3.2	2.2

Mustafi does seem the most sensible choice for the Gunners at this juncture. Although he’s not experienced in the Premier League, he’s shown enough at Valencia to suggest he’d thrive in the division. The fact he has a higher ceiling than Evans, is younger and would give everyone at the Emirates a boost makes the extra £10 million worth paying.

Should Wenger turn to Evans instead it’ll likely spark derision in various quarters, as he’s a player who’s always maintained a modest reputation. But with the problems the Gunners have at the back, he’d be a big upgrade on their current options and a defender who’d eventually provide ample competition to Koscielny, Mertesacker and Gabriel.