The injury to William Saliba has cast a spotlight on Arsenal's defensive vulnerabilities, prompting the club to urgently seek a new defender to strengthen their back line.
The Gunners are already working on major deals for Bruno Guimarães and Vinícius Júnior, but Mikel Arteta's priority is now to address the area that provided the foundation for their title-winning campaign.
Saliba's absence removes pace, composure, and authority from the back line, while fitness concerns surrounding other defenders leave Arsenal vulnerable.
Their summer window has already brought in Christos Tzolis, Illan Meslier, and Piero Hincapié, but defensive insurance is now essential.
Arsenal are searching for a defender who can operate in a high line, recover quickly when opponents counterattack, and remain calm when building from the back.
Budget management will also be important, as deals for Guimarães and Vinícius could consume a large part of Arsenal's available funds.
Arteta may prefer a versatile player capable of covering centre-back and right-back rather than an expensive specialist.
The market is already becoming more complicated, with John Stones having joined Inter Milan after attracting interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.
Arsenal have also been linked with Ezri Konsa, but Aston Villa's strong negotiating position would make that deal expensive.
Interest from other clubs in Arsenal's remaining targets could push valuations higher, especially because selling teams know the Gunners are responding to an urgent injury problem.
Arsenal should secure a dependable defender before completing another luxury attacking deal.
Guimarães and Vinícius would raise the ceiling of an already excellent squad, but failing to protect the defence could undermine those investments.
