Arsenal are all set for a new era at the Emirates as manager Arsene Wenger finally confirmed he will not be returning for next season after two decades with the London club.

It will certainly be strange for people to see the Gunners without the Frenchman in charge, and our Arsenal fans here in the Tavern are hoping the club can sort out his replacement as soon as possible in order to get the summer off to an excellent start.

The last two transfer windows have seen the Gunners at least make something of a splash, and our landlord thinks that trend should continue into this one, with a defender something he feels the club simply have to go and look to bring in.

The likes of Rob Holding and Callum Chambers have simply not looked up to standard when the likes of Laurent Koscielny have been out, and it is something the new Arsenal manager is going to have to make sure he addresses in the coming months.

With that in mind, we’ve identified the one defender we think that Arsenal should be looking to sign this summer.

James Tarkowski

The Burnley man has risen this year and seen his value increase, with the former Brentford man stepping seamlessly into the shoes of Michael Keane, who departed in the summer for Everton.

Tarkowski has seen his form rewarded with England honours, and the next logical step in his career is to move to a team capable of challenging for the top four.

While Burnley might be hot on Arsenal’s heels this season, the Gunners overall represent better future prospects for Tarkowski, and he will no doubt be keen to prove himself at the top level if a move can be sorted out the Clarets defender.