Borussia Dortmund defender captures Arsenal’s attention
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Arsenal have been linked this week with Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic, as the Gunners look to bring in some younger legs next season.
Per Mertesacker turns 32 in September, while Laurent Koscielny will be 31 in the same month.
Arsene Wenger brought in Brazilian Gabriel, but the 25-year-old is yet to consistently produce at the Emirates, while Calum Chambers is frequently dogged by injury.
Subotic began his career at FC Mainz under Jurgen Klopp, and followed his manager to Dortmund in the summer of 2008.
The 27-year-old has played over 250 times for BvB, winning the Bundesliga twice in addition to DFB Pokal and DFL Supercup titles.
Subotic has played 35 times for Serbia, starring in the 2010 World Cup when his country beat Germany 1-0.
The centre-half played made just six league appearances last year due to injuries, but they are not believed to be long-term and Subotic featured in at least 25 Bundesliga games in six of the seven seasons prior.
That Klopp link could be Arsenal’s undoing however, with Liverpool – under Klopp’s leadership of course – also rumoured to be interested.
But with the Merseysiders recently signing Joel Matip, the Gunners could still find themselves at the head of the queue for this talented and intelligent centre-half.
The Gunners posted the third-best defensive record in last season’s Premier League, but with Wenger’s preferred centre-half partnership soon to yield a combined age of 63, it’s clear Arsenal need to look to the future.
Arsenal are fourth favourites for next season’s title at 6/1, but should they land Subotic and add that little bit of strength in depth, they could finally be on course for a sustained title challenge.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
