Arsenal are the defensive kings of the Premier League. Across the past two campaigns, Mikel Arteta’s side have shipped the fewest number of goals.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, the club’s all-powerful central defensive pairing, have even been hailed by former midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker for their journey toward the pinnacle: “They could be on their way to becoming Premier League legends in terms of the best defenders we’ve seen.”
The security that the rearguard provides has allowed technical director Andrea Berta to work on signings further upfield. The imminent arrival of centre-forward Viktor Gyokeres is evidence of that.
However, Arsenal may yet be interested in making a defensive signing.
Arsenal's remaining transfer plans
After Gyokeres completes his move to the Emirates, it appears that Arsenal will forge ahead with a deal for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, having reached initial agreements over payments.
Elsewhere, the Gunners indeed want a defender, and that’s having already completed the signing of Valencia talent Cristhian Mosquera for £13m plus add-ons.
But, according to De Telegraaf – via reports in Spain, Arteta wants more, having set his sights on Ajax defender Jorrel Hato. Indeed, the north Londoners have initiated contacts with the Dutch giants as they look to hijack Chelsea’s bid.
The Blues might be frontrunners, but nothing is set in stone. It’s felt that a bid in the region of €60m (£51m) would be enough to get the deal done.
Why Arsenal want Jorrel Hato
Hato, 19, might only be in the early stage of his senior career, but already he has established himself as one of the most exciting up-and-comers on the continent.
In fact, talent scout Jacek Kulig has declared him to be “one of the most talented CBs of his generation in Europe.”
There are few other rising centre-backs who could rival him, but Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen is certainly one of them. The Spain international, who is 20, left Bournemouth for Los Blancos in a deal worth £50m in May, having enjoyed a spectacular breakout year in the Premier League.
Last season, Huijsen was hailed by one analyst for having the making of a “world-class” centre-half, prodigiously cool and confident on the ball, strong in the tackle, commanding in the air.
Hato could emulate him, joining an Arsenal side considering a final flourish to their remarkable backline. Already, he has made 111 senior appearances for Ajax, shifting between left-back and central defence, denoting his wide-ranging technical ability.
Look, for example, at the ball-playing skills that allowed the former Cherries prospect to shine so brightly. As per FBref, he ranked among the top 6% of central defenders in the Premier League last year for assists, the top 7% for shot-creating actions, and the top 15% for progressive passes per 90.
Shot-creating actions are pieces of play that lead to a shot. These include moments such as a pass, take-on or foul being drawn.
Hato, while not so expressive on the ball, showcased his own passing prowess to a fantastic effect, ranked as he was among the top 1% of positional peers in the 2024/25 Eredivisie for pass completion, the top 15% for passes attempted and the top 5% for assists per 90.
Left-back
89
4
8
Centre-back
70
3
3
Centre-midfield
1
0
0
Moreover, having completed 90% of his passes in the league, averaged 1.9 tackles and won 55% of his aerial duels across league fixtures, as per Sofascore, he’s endowed with the tenacious defensive values needed to succeed in the Premier League.
For all his high-level ability, Huijsen left something to be desired in ground duels last year, winning only 51% of his battles.
Hato’s athleticism and limitless energy levels could see him provide the perfect cover for Gabriel and Saliba, initially serving as an understudy but one who would be certain to feature prominently throughout the campaign.
Arsenal – and indeed the rest of the Premier League – failed to convince Huijsen to remain on English shores, but in Hato, Arteta could sign a similarly complete and technically sharp defender with a wide range of skills.
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