Arsenal linked with towering international

This one has been going on for some time and some would opine that there is no smoke without fire in the transfer market.

Arsenal spent a lot of money in the summer to bring Mustafi into the central defensive positions.

But they have long been linked with Manchester United defender Chris Smalling and this is a player who would apparently interest Arsene Wenger.

This time it is the turn of British media outlet The Daily Star to stoke the flames. They say:

EXCLUSIVE: Chris Smalling to leave Man United if Victor Lindelof signs – Arsenal may swoop

Smalling has had an up and down career at Manchester United. At times he has looked absolutely imperious and even captained United for periods of last season under the management of Louis van Gaal.

David Moyes didn’t seem quite as certain about the player who was sometimes shipped out to right back in his time under the Scotsman. And this season Jose Mourinho hasn’t been able to use him due to a foot injury which has kept Smalling out for six weeks.

But, prior to that, he wasn’t having the best time this season anyway and TFF wouldn’t be surprised if Manchester United decided to let go of the player – particularly if they sign another central defender in January.

But Arsenal would definitely be getting a good player – Smalling is 6ft 4in and has been capped 29 times by England.

He’s brilliant in the air, very quick and perhaps the only box that he doesn’t tick at this point in time is being really high quality in terms of his distribution. But at his best he’s a really top Premier League defender.

Arsenal fans: would this be an underwhelming signing or an excellent addition to the squad?