Arsenal hero Nigel Winterburn urges Mikel Arteta to sign a new right-back


Nigel Winterburn expects Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to go out and sign a right-back who can make the position their own at the Gunners.

Arteta has rotated between Hector Bellerin and Cedric Soares this season with neither player impressing enough to become a regular first-choice in the defence.

And Arsenal legend Winterburn believes his old club would be significantly improved by an arrival who could offer more consistency to the starting line-up.

Speaking to GentingBet, Winterburn said: 'When you look at the switching of players in that position, you can see that Arteta isn’t comfortable with who he has so I expect that to be addressed in the summer.

'Arsenal have been linked with the likes of (Achraf) Hakimi and (Tariq) Lamptey. Whether they’re good enough or not for the club can only be decided once they’ve played 20-30 games. It doesn’t matter what they’ve achieved beforehand, they’re coming to a new league, club and environment so will need to prove themselves.

'I’m not sure of the reasons why Bellerin is in and out of the team. He’s obviously been struggling since the return from that big injury and he’s always had those links with Barcelona.

'The fact that Arsenal have been linked with players in his position suggest that either Bellerin is looking for his next opportunity at Barcelona or that Arteta isn’t happy with him in that role. I’d imagine it is a combination of both.'

Calum Chambers filled in as a right-back against West Ham and his performance was so impressive, Jamie Carragher tweeted saying it reminded him of the Brazilian legend Cafu.

But Winterburn does not expect Chambers to take on the position permanently.

'Calum Chambers isn’t an out and out right back,' Winterburn said. 'I don’t think he will make the right back position his own moving forward. Defensively, on a one vs one situation, I would ask certain questions about him.

'You have to remember that he was applauded for his time at Fulham by playing in the centre of midfield which is where he made an impression.'

Arsenal, who are ninth in the Premier League standings, return to action after the international break on April 3, when they meet Liverpool at the Emirates stadium.

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