Medhi Benatia

[Garrincha]

Love the move.

Never expected Benatia & Lichtsteiner but both make perfect sense. Maybe Asamoah next to provide Monreal competition at LB? Contract up.

Cant wait to see what the transfer guys have planned for midfield.

 

[Red London]

Love the move.

Maybe Asamoah next to provide Monreal competition at LB? Contract up.

Kolasinac.

 

[macka66]

Maybe we could offer Mustafi if we did get him, just make him wear a disguise and have him change he's name they wont have a clue.

 

[KrissKringle]

So we're becoming Juve's retirement home now?

 

[yybecause]

dont want Gourcuff here

 

[Stannis]

Would love this

A level above anyone we have been linked with

Only concern is his injury record but it’s been better recently

 

[HBL]

So we're becoming Juve's retirement home now?

Retirement home? Benatia was one of the best cb’s in the league last season, class defender. As long as the fee isn’t stupid I’d be all for this move. You don’t forget how to play football as soon as you turn 30.

 

[StefanB]

Would love to get Benatia and Sokratis. And of course a new keeper aswell.

That would be sick!

 

[KrissKringle]

Retirement home? Benatia was one of the best cb’s in the league last season, class defender.

Class defender who single-handedly robbed his team of extra time against Real Madrid in the 90th minute.

 

[Rex Stone]

We’d have to play with a deeper line and more organised shape with Benatia and Lichtsteiner in the back four. No split CB nonsense like we have now.

 

[Batman]

Class defender who single-handedly robbed his team of extra time against Real Madrid in the 90th minute.

Housekeeping first: ^ In reference to the nonsense above, there is no other option but to put whatever kind of challenge you can on the attacker in that situation. You either allow a clean shot on goal from 8 yards out or you attempt a challenge that at worst results in penalty 12 yards out instead. The decision is obvious to anyone with sense and Benatia did not rob his team of anything.

Now onto the more important point. If we aren't going for a player in the De Ligt bracket then this is the next best option. He's a great defender who should still have 2-3 impressive years left before he declines, a perfect window for our youngsters to develop and be ready to take the reigns. He takes no prisoners physically but he's also extremely agile and capable as a passer and even dribbler when the need arises. Given how Emery likes to play out of the back at times I can definitely see why he'd want him. Benatia will take us up a level in terms of his on field performance as well as being able to mentor the younger defenders. We haven't had a proper physical defender since Sol left. I think everyone would fall in love with him within a couple of days if this happens.

 

[dashsnow17]

Arguably Juve's best defender last season actually, but his injury record is not encouraging. I don't know, we need a long-term solution in defence, any short-term solutions better be damn good value for money.

 

[Rimaal]

Noooooo. Nooooo. The PL will break him before Christmas.

 

[Aevi]

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

We should target more younger CB this time i know we already got Chambers Holding and Marvs but we need to mix between experience and youth

 

[tap-in]

We should target more younger CB this time i know we already got Chambers Holding and Marvs but we need to mix between experience and youth

I would like us to go for Soyuncu but going for Benatia & Sokratis would be great. Those 2 + Mustafi (who we probably cant sell) Mavro & Chambers would give us the mix of exp & youth. Holding I feel will go on loan.

 

[StefanB]

Benatia is 31 and Sokratis is turning 30. That's the ideal age for defenders to be honest. Both are experienced and are some of the better defenders within the game.

I'd love this move if it actually happened. Think Sokratis and Benatia would compliment each other great aswell with Sokratis being the more aggressive one and Benatia being slightly deeper and more calm.

Also the age thing wouldn't hinder our talents like Chambers, Mavropanos and Holding because we'd be looking to get 2-3 seasons out of them.

 

[Beksl]

Stop with this ''we need younger CB'' narrative.

I'm over the moon seeing we're targeting seasoned defenders. Just look at how Nacho is playing in his 30ies, you need experience and leadership at the back, we don't have time fvcking around with young, inexperienced defenders. We have enough of them already.

 

[razörist]

If we sign the captain of Morocco I will move to London today. There's nothing I want more than a Moroccan player to succeed at Arsenal. There was Chamakh, but meh. Please!

 

[Aevi]

I've been banging on about age and squad value, but I've gotta say, I'd much prefer a back line of Benatia-Sokratis to Soyuncu-Sokratis. That's a very strong back line. Depends on Benatia's fee though.