Ranking 5 Potential New Right-Backs for Arsenal

In Hector Bellerin, Arsenal have one of the most exciting right-backs in European football. However, beyond the speedy Spaniard, there is a real lack of quality. Sooner rather than later, manager Arsene Wenger is going to have to identify a player who can provide cover and competition for the 21-year-old.

Wenger has both Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinson on the books. However, the likelihood is that neither player will be at Arsenal for much longer.

Debuchy has been unsettled for some time, and according to French outlet L’Equipe (h/t James Whaling of the Mirror), he could soon be subject of a loan bid from Olympique de Marseille. Having already allowed the Frenchman to join Girondins de Bordeaux on loan last season, Wenger is unlikely to stand in his way.

Jenkinson has suffered a loss of form and confidence in recent weeks, with centre-half Gabriel Paulista being preferred as Bellerin’s deputy. John Cross of the Mirror reported on Monday that Sam Allardyce intends to make Jenkinson a January signing for Crystal Palace.

Whatever happens, Arsenal will soon need to address the right-back situation.

We've identified five candidates to understudy Bellerin. They’re ranked according to their suitability—do they possess the requisite quality to be the team’s alternative to Bellerin, and is it plausible they would take on the role?

Go to the next slide to begin the countdown.

5. Toby Sibbick

If you haven't yet heard of Toby Sibbick, you're probably not alone. However, the Wimbledon teenager is a highly regarded prospect, and the indications are that he's already on Wenger's radar.

According to Tom Barclay of The Sun, Arsenal are one of several Premier League clubs tracking the 17-year-old's progress. Sibbick is a graduate of the Conquest Football Academy in the London Borough of Hounslow.

Having been snapped up by Wimbledon in his mid-teens, he has caught the eye as one of the most promising young talents in the lower leagues.

He is capable of operating at either right-back or centre-half, with academy manager Jeremy Sauer telling the Dons' official site:

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When we were discussing at the start whether Toby was right for a professional contract, the first question was ‘where do we see him in the future?’ His versatility probably works in his favour. At the moment Toby’s target in terms of his development focuses on him being more aggressive and being more of a leader as a centre-back. That’s something which may take a little longer and working with Alan Reeves he has got the right man for the job.

Toby can also play at right-back because he is so comfortable on the ball. As he can also get up and down the pitch brilliantly, it means he is going to get minutes there. He is going to be focusing on a centre-back role in the long-term, but if an opportunity comes up at right-back in the first-team and he takes it you never know what could happen.

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That chance has yet to come Sibbick's way, with the player still awaiting his senior bow. However, it surely won't be long before he gets the chance to impress in the first team.

Nevertheless, it's wildly unrealistic to expect him to be ready to cover for Bellerin anytime soon. If Arsenal did sign Sibbick, he'd go into their academy side rather than the first-team squad.

4. Ainsley Maitland-Niles

One candidate to be Bellerin's back-up would not require Arsenal to invest any money in the transfer market. Nineteen-year-old Ainsley Maitland-Niles started the Gunners' FA Cup third-round win over Preston North End at right-back and seems to be being groomed to be an option in that position.

Maitland-Niles also played there during the EFL Cup win over Nottingham Forest in September. Despite having played most of his football as a winger, it seems Wenger thinks his speed and power could be more effective in a defensive role.

Bellerin began as a winger, so there is a certain logic to the Maitland-Niles experiment. However, Wenger has indicated that he still sees his best position as a holding midfielder.

The Gunners boss told the club's website:

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He’s an interesting prospect because he does not have an imposing frame, but he’s mobile, he’s quick and he’s sharp technically.

He has a good eye, he can win the ball and he has the speed to fly into people and get the ball out of their feet. That’s a very interesting quality that you do not find often.

He did extremely well at Nottingham Forest as a right-back, but maybe his best position is as a defensive midfielder at the moment.

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Maitland-Niles' versatility will boost his chances of earning a permanent place in the Arsenal squad, but they will need a specialist rather than a utility player to deputise for Bellerin.

3. Rick Karsdorp

Wenger has already admitted he is aware of Feyenoord full-back Rick Karsdorp's talents.

Pressed by Ziggo Sport (h/t Chris Davie for Metro) on his interest in the dynamic Dutch defender, the Gunners boss said: "We are currently not looking for a defender. So your information is not quite right. Do I know him? Yeah. He’s definitely a good player, but we are now focused on winning the next game."

The 21-year-old has impressed in Eredivisie action this season, racking up three assists. That illustrates his attacking instincts. Like Bellerin, Karsdorp is willing to race to the byline to support the team's attacking contingent.

He stands at 6'0", making him tall for a full-back. One of Bellerin's weaknesses is his aerial ability, but Karsdorp could be more adept at dealing with high diagonal balls. The Dutchman would be a good and likely affordable option.

2. Djibril Sidibe

Arsenal have been after Djibril Sidibe before. The player told Le Parisien (h/t Mark Ashenden for Sky Sports) the Gunners tried to sign him last summer, although they wanted him to play at left-back:

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I was on the brink [of signing for Monaco] and [Arsenal] gave me a headache by making a bid at the last moment.

After reflecting on it, I was not certain my playing time would be guaranteed. 

I would have played maybe 25 games this season, including the cups. They also wanted to use me on the left whereas I want to establish myself on the right.

I chose to stay in Ligue 1 and then leave for the Premier League next year because it is a competition that greatly appeals to me.

"

Sidibe made his reputation as a left-back at Lille but has always stated his preference for playing on the opposite flank. Since joining Monaco, Sidibe has been in scintillating form as a right-back. 

The challenge for Wenger remains convincing Sidibe to join a club at which Bellerin is clearly established as the first-choice right-back. However, the Frenchman's versatility means he would be assured of getting games on both sides of the defence.

1. Ricardo Pereira

Only one right-back has outshone Sidibe in Ligue 1 this season: OGC Nice's Ricardo Pereira.

The Portuguese full-back is on loan in France from FC Porto, and David Woods of the Daily Star recently reported that Arsenal were preparing a £20 million bid for his services. 

Whatever the veracity of Arsenal's interest at this stage, Wenger should be watching Ricardo's performances with interest. The 23-year-old's adventurous attacking style would make him an ideal alternative to Bellerin, while he is also capable of filling in at left-back if necessary.

Porto have a long track record of selling exciting young talents, and if Arsenal can muster a suitable bid, the Dragons could well be open to allowing Ricardo to move to England.