Why this £12m man could be a key addition for Arsenal:

There’s been a lot of focus on Arsenal’s attack this summer. All we’ve heard about, are the different strikers that the Gunners have been flirting with. I can only hope that this focus doesn’t come at the expense of any defensive reinforcements.

Of course, Arsenal need a new centre-forward. If they don’t bolster their attack, Olivier Giroud will be left to do all the heavy lifting and I’m not sure the Frenchman can handle the weight of expectation. But it’s equally important that Arsenal take a look at their back-four.

Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squallaci have both been pushed out the door. Club captain Thomas Vermaelen has a long-term injury and serious issues with his form. Per Mertesacker can be wildly inconsistent. Laurent Koscielny has been known to pick up a red card or two from time to time.

Do Arsenal really want to find themselves relying on youngsters like Ignasi Miquel? Signing another defender strikes me as something of a priority.

According to The Mirror, Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup is already on the hunt for a replacement for Arsenal target Ashley Williams. Does this suggest that there’s been some movement behind the scenes that we’re unaware about?

The Swans are lining up Hector Moreno to replace Williams, but he has big boots to fill.

Ashley Williams has been a defensive rock throughout his time with the Swans. He’s also been an astute captain, leading his side to a Capital One Cup victory last season.

His impact at Swansea is hard to quantify and he’ll be sorely missed should he look to move on this summer.

But he’d fit in extremely nicely at Arsenal, where he could chinwag with his Welsh chum, Aaron Ramsey. The Mirror claim he could be available for £12m and this looks like a good price for a player with so much Premier League experience and know-how.

With Arsenal targeting expensive strikers, signing somebody affordable like Ashley Williams could be a good choice. It would provide competition throughout the back-four and could be just the kick up the arse that the Gunners’ defence needs.

Defenders do a much less glamorous job than strikers and this may be why they garner fewer column inches and fewer links to other clubs. I can only hope that that’s the case with Arsenal and that a player like Ashley Williams will be on his way to the club soon enough.

What’s your take? Would you like to see Ashley Williams make his way to the Emirates this summer?

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