Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell believes his old club should look to strengthen their defensive options in January by launching a move for Bayern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng.
Arsenal spent more than £20million on bolstering their defensive rearguard during the summer transfer window, landing Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille.
Despite Gabriel's fairly solid and encouraging start to life in north London, Arsenal have already conceded 10 goals in their first eight league games this term, highlighting Mikel Arteta's need to tighten his defence in the coming weeks.
Currently, Arteta is not spoilt for choice as far as his centre-back options are concerned, with the likes of Gabriel, David Luiz, Rob Holding, Pablo Mari, Calum Chambers, when fit, and William Saliba all capable of playing there.
However, the Gunners, according to former striker Campbell, who spent the first 13 years of his career in north London, are in need of "strong characters" who have spent large portions of their respective careers playing at the top level of the game.
With that in mind, Campbell believes Boateng, who has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League in recent weeks, would be an ideal solution to bolstering Arsenal's defence.
“You can never have enough quality and you can never have enough players who have done it at the top level,” Campbell told Football Insider.
“Looking to maybe recruit someone like Jerome Boateng shows where the club is at.
“Gabriel and Saliba would benefit from having somebody like Boateng at the club. I am not sure how long David Luiz will be at the club so Jerome Boateng could be that experienced player who helps others fulfil their potential.
“Arsenal need characters. They need strong characters who have been there and done it at the top level. Jerome Boateng is certainly one.
“If you put it out to the Arsenal fan base they will say, ‘Oh he is too old.’ But beggars cannot be choosers and we need experience. He is a serial winner.”
Boateng, who spent just one season at Manchester City when playing his trade in England, is out-of-contract at the Allianz Arena next summer, meaning he will soon be available on a free-transfer if Bayern opt against offering him a new deal.
