Arsenal’s centre-backs have had a mixed bag this year in the Premier League, with Per Mertesacker dominating and Laurent Koscielny struggling to hit any form. Ahead of the January transfer window here are three Bundesliga centre-backs who the Gunners should be looking at.
1) Robin Knoche – Wolfsburg
The youngest of the bunch, Knoche has been a real asset in the heart of the Wolfsburg defence. He’s an imposing player who is incredible in the air but also good with the ball at his feet. He has won 50/70 of his headed duels this season and completed 86% of his passes, which is an impressive stat.
He has also made 78 clearances, 23 interceptions and 21 tackles. The German would fit in nicely beside Per Mertesacker.
2) Fallou Diagne – Freiburg
The big Senegalese defender is an athletic player who has played 10 games in the Bundesliga so far this term. He has made 72 clearances for Freiburg, as well as making 24 tackles and 22 interceptions and is a rough and tumble defender.
3) Sebastian Prodl – Werder Bremen
An Austrian now in the shape of Prodl, who has made eight appearances this season for Bremen. He’s a giant player in every sense of the word – he has won 31/44 headed battles, averaged 9.1 clearances per game and made 13 interceptions.