A new defender should be top of Unai Emery’s shopping list now the January transfer window is officially open.

The Gunners have made a decent start to life under the Spaniard but their issues at the back have proved to be costly at times throughout the season. The Gunners were torn to shreds at Anfield by Liverpool, highlighting the need for new defenders if Arsenal are serious about challenging for the Premier League. Indeed, Emery has a host of players missing through injury but his current crop of players simply aren’t good enough.

The former PSG boss spent well in the summer and will be hoping for similar success in the current window to boost his team’s chances of returning to the Champions League next season. Adding defensive reinforcements could be key to securing a place in the Premier League top four.

The ideal target would be RB Leipzig wonderkid – Dayot Upamecano. Valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, the defender has established himself as one of the world’s most promising centre-backs after moving to the Bundesliga from RB Salzburg back in January 2017. Once again, the young defender has been ever-present for his side this season, making 19 appearances in all competitions thus far.

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Upamecano is blessed with terrific pace for a defender, allowing him to keep up with the league’s fastest of strikers. Combined with his immense strength, the 20-year-old is rarely troubled in the back four – the youngster has been dribbled past on average 0.2 per game this season. Despite his young age, the Frenchman reads the game expertly, allowing him to step out of defence to make vital interceptions.

The France youth international is still improving and developing – luring him to the Emirates would be a masterstroke.

Arsenal fans, thoughts?