Jorrel Hato Arsenal transfer question emerges as Mikel Arteta faces triple squad issue

Arsenal have been busy in the summer transfer window with moves for Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga set to be completed, and discussions for Christian Norgaard, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres among others also taking place.However, there are yet more positions the Gunners would like to strengthen.

One key area is the backline, having seen a number of players leave during the window, and injuries becoming a regularity for Mikel Arteta. In the last two seasons, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori have all suffered long-term absences through injury, many requiring surgery to fix.

Tierney’s exit, in addition to Oleksandr Zinchenko's expected departure, has seen links to Jorrel Hato re-emerge. While football.london is aware the club have held a long-term interest in the player, a move this summer for the Dutch international is yet to be formalised despite reports at this time.

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Hato is a left sided player who can operate as a central defender or left-back. However, it is this profile, despite his clear talent, that makes a move somewhat puzzling.

Arsenal have five potential options at left-back, four if Zinchenko’s sale comes to fruition. Myles Lewis-Skelly, Calafiori, Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior have all been used by Mikel Arteta in the role.

There are three options available before the arrival of a player like Hato, including removing the injured Tomiyasu, who is expected not to return until the end of the year at the earliest. For a player who would command a significant transfer fee, it is puzzling why such an outlay would go on a player where the club already have such depth.

With both White and Timber having the aforementioned fitness problems that exist to the present day, the club may be more inclined to try and sign a right-sided versatile defender than one like Hato. As mentioned, the club have, however, put resources into the scouting of Hato for some time, and with interest growing at other clubs, it could be that they look to secure the youngster before their rivals.

But in a window with so much investment needed, the timing and appropriateness of such a move is not adding up. Yet these windows have a habit of sometimes asking more questions than they answer.