Mikel Arteta has built a defensive setup at Arsenal that is now the backbone of their title bid. The coaching staff is starting to worry about the physical strain on their main starters. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães are still the best partnership in the Premier League, but a lack of top-tier backup options sometimes leaves the defence looking tired when the games pile up. Staying competitive in both Europe and at home takes a level of stamina that few teams can manage without better depth. So, the recruitment team is hunting for players who can match the technical skill and recovery pace of their current stars.
Arsenal are in the race for Castello Lukeba
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the market is heating up as Castello Lukeba looks ready to leave RB Leipzig this summer. Arsenal have long liked the French international, but Manchester United are a major obstacle in the race as they try to shore up their own shaky backline.
Leipzig originally put a release clause of about £70 million in his contract, but word from inside the club is that they might take a bit less to get a deal done quickly. Lukeba seems to want a new challenge outside the Bundesliga, putting several English powerhouses on high alert. This sudden opening means Arsenal have to make a move fast, particularly because the 23-year-old is exactly the kind of ball-playing centre-back who stays calm under pressure.
Throughout the 2025/26 season, Lukeba has maintained a 91% pass completion rate and averages 3.4 interceptions every 90 minutes, according to the latest FootyStats data. His knack for carrying the ball out of defence sets him apart from old-school centre-halves; he’s already made over 120 forward runs into the final third this year.
Arsenal urged to sign attacker who has already scored 10 goals
These numbers show a defender who excels in teams that keep the ball, making him a perfect fit for the Premier League’s tactics and tempo. With the summer window around the corner, the Frenchman seems bound for a massive move to England, where he’ll likely start for a Champions League side. You can expect heavy talks to kick off the moment the season ends as Arsenal tries to beat its rivals to the punch.
