Arsenal should move for Chris Smalling with Samuel Umtiti now injured

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Arsenal should now be looking at their options for the summer with the news that Samuel Umtiti is set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

The Barcelona man has picked up yet another injury, despite the world being in lockdown.

The Daily Mail reports that Umtiti has picked up a fresh calf injury. And while there is no confirmation of how long the Frenchman will be out for, it doesn’t look promising for the centre-back.

Given Arsenal were supposedly offered the chance to land Umtiti this summer, the Gunners now need to be looking elsewhere.

And the man they should be looking to bring in is current Manchester United man, Chris Smalling.

Smalling has been in fine form for Roma this season. After being outcast at Old Trafford, the England man has worked his way back to his best in the Italian capital.

Not needed at United but Arsenal can be the place for Smalling to flourish – TBR View

There doesn’t look to be a way back at United for Smalling. Despite his impressive year in Rome, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seems dead set on moving on without the experienced defender.

However, that shouldn’t mean his Premier League career is over.

Arsenal needs a new defender. Crucially, they need someone with an experienced head who knows the league inside out. Smalling, then, could be that man. Having been linked with a move for him previously, it makes perfect sense.

Working in the Gunners’ favour, too, is the price tag. Smalling won’t be at the very top end of the pay spectrum.

With Mikel Arteta set to have limited funds to work with, the signing of a player in the mould of Smalling would make perfect sense.

Experience, quality, and with a point to prove back in England, the Gunners could do far worse than land the former Fulham man.