Arsenal have reportedly started recruitment for new players and have begun developments for new defenders.
According to The Independent, The Gunners are targeting Borussia Dortmund’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos in a bid to reshuffle their defensive system.
The North London club have conceded 48 league goals this campaign, more than Newcastle and Brighton, and it seems the superiors are adamant to solve the stint in their back line.
Overseeing the recruitments are Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllechi. Mislintat identifies recruiting Sokratis as a priority this summer. The pair have worked together during Mislintat’s time at Dortmund.
He has also overseen the signings of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang from Dortmund and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, once of Dortmund, from Manchester United.
The Independent speculate that the club have lost faith in the men at the back and they are interested in younger alternatives.
Petr Cech is reportedly another candidate to be replaced with Jan Oblak the ideal successor.
Arsenal also want two new central defenders with captain Laurent Koscielny injured and speculation over losing faith in Shkodran Mustafi.
Shkodran Mustafi has been under scrutiny late due to making regular high-profile mistakes in important games. Reports say Arsenal tried to sell the German international last summer and may attempt to do so again this summer.
Laurent Koscielny has not enjoyed his season either, with the defender fighting a long-term Achilles problem. The France international was substituted early in their second-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal want two new full-backs, with left-back Nacho Monreal now 32 years old, and Juventus lining up a move for Hector Bellerin.
