Arsenal must beat Manchester United to signature of 18-year-old defender

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Arsenal suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Chelsea during Wednesday night’s Europa League Final. The Gunners were thumped 4-1 to consign them to another season without Champions League football.

It looks like being a huge summer for Unai Emery based on certain performances this season. Some of his squad have quite simply not shown enough heart or desire to warrant a place in the squad next season.

Defenders will be an absolute must for Emery during the transfer window. Wednesday capitulation will have only served to highlight even more the need for defensive recruits.

Several targets may have already been identified by the Gunners but they might need altering slightly now there is no Champions League pull on offer at the Emirates Stadium.

One man who Arsenal must now land is William Saliba of Saint-Etienne. Manchester United are also keen but the Gunners’ need is considerably greater.

According to the Express, the Gunners are vying for his services and he could be available for £26 million.

Saliba is tall, strong in the tackle and is capable of playing out from the back. Essentially he is three things that Shkodran Mustafi isn’t!

The 18-year-old played 19 matches for the Ligue 1 outfit last season and showed enough to suggest that he could become a real star of the future.

Arsenal might be forced to switch some of their targets after missing out on Europe’s elite club competition and that makes it even more vital that they secure this gem of a defender.