According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Nathan Collins has emerged on Arsenal’s radar ahead of the summer. The Brentford defender has been impressive in the Premier League, as Mikel Arteta continues to look for a new centre-back to shore up his backline.
Arsenal put in another defensive masterclass away at Real Madrid as it was only an error from William Saliba that allowed the opposition to score. The Gunners managed to seal their spot in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals following a 5-1 aggregate victory over the Spanish giants, as Mikel Arteta’s team were lauded for their defensive display.
While Arsenal are considered one of the top defensive sides in England and Europe, Arteta is still keen to sign a new centre-back to shore up the backline. He is behind the idea of having a rotational backup to William Saliba, as Jakub Kiwior has shown he is more than capable of deputising for Gabriel Magalhaes.
Of late, Arsenal have been linked with a few right-footed centre-backs including Club Brugge’s Ecuadorian star Joel Ordonez as well as AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw, with either of those understandably achievable targets in the summer window.
Dean Huijsen is a big target for Arsenal, who are among teams in talks with the Spaniard’s agents ahead of the summer. The latest name in that regard is that of Nathan Collins, with the Brentford star already showcasing himself as a capable centre-back in the Premier League with his performances in recent years.
Collins has produced some good performances for Brentford since making the move to London, and he has some league-leading numbers in terms of blocks as well as being third for clearances and aerial duels won in the league. He is ideally suited for a team like Arsenal, although he may not be Arteta’s absolute first choice in that position.
Moreover, there is the role he might have in the team of being a rotational backup to the likes of Saliba, which may not be something the 6ft 4in defender would want with his new club. While he does bring the kind of physicality that Arteta likes from his centre-backs, Collins might be a solid alternative to the likes of Huijsen. Any move will depend on what sort of price point Brentford will demand, as his asking rate will be high.
