Sports
Arsenal scouting “pure defender” who’s a “hybrid between Gabriel and Saliba”
Arsenal are one of several team scouting a promising young defender who’s been likened to standout stars Gabriel and William Saliba.
Saliba and Gabriel injuries force Arteta to rely on depth
Mikel Arteta’s squad has been tested by injuries once again in recent weeks, with both first choice centre-backs missing time while Jurrien Timber suffered a knock in midweek and Ben White has only just returned from a long absence.
“We have to wait and see,” Arteta said about Saliba ahead of the clash with Wolves, confirming the France international will be fit to face Everton next weekend.
Gabriel meanwhile has been missing since the November international break, when he sustained a thigh injury while on Brazil duty, but was spotted in London this week spectating a fiery six-aside match.
“He didn’t look injured when he sprinted across the pitch to get involved,” an onlooker said after the Brazilian took offence to a horror tackle in a friendly match organised between Botafogo fans.
£150,000-a-week Arsenal star “sees red” and “flies off the handle” in new footage
The Gunners star lost his cool during the incident in London this week.
Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera have performed admirably in the first-choice duo’s absence, but Mosquera has since joined them on the sidelines with an ankle injury, and Arsenal are now scouting options to reinforce Arteta’s options.
Arsenal eyeing move for Ousmane Diomande
According to Caught Offisde, the Gunners are one of several sides scouting Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande.
Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle have all been in attendance to keep tabs on the 22 year-old defender this season, who has been dubbed “a hybrid between Gabriel and Saliba” by Como scout Ben Mattinson.
Sporting don’t want to sell Diomande and are directing clubs to his €80m (£70m) release clause, but that is seen as “less” problematic for big teams than some other suitors, such as Crystal Palace.
Scout Jacek Kulig has long been an admirer of the defender, saying back in 2023: “You rarely see a player with such high ball-playing and pure defender skills.
“There are some tactical improvements but I’m quite sure this kid will play for the best teams in the world.”
That admiration has remained as the youngster has developed too, with Kulig saying earlier this year: “A fantastic CB to watch with a huge future ahead.”
If Diomande is willing to sit behind the starting pair and learn his craft, he could both provide immediate depth and futureproof a position that is absolutely crucial to Arteta’s demanding style of play.
