Arsenal weighing up audacious swoop for Man City defensive ace

Arsenal are considering the possibility of bolstering their defensive options by launching a shock move for Man City centre-back John Stones.

The Gunners’ season has been plagued by inconsistent defending, with their 31 league goals conceded good enough for just the joint-tenth tightest defence.

The summer addition of David Luiz has done little to shore up the backline, though the men from the Emirates have kept two clean sheets from five matches since Arteta’s arrival at the club.

Now, a report from British newspaper the Sun claims that City centre-half John Stones could be a shock short-term remedy to the Gunner’s defensive ailments via the loan route.

The 25-year-old has struggled with form and injuries in the current campaign, making just 14 appearances in all competitions for the Citizens.

The article reveals that this inconsistent game-time could be a driving factor behind Stones’ desire to test the water elsewhere, as the ex-Everton man ‘wants first-team football to boost his Euro 2020 hopes.’

Harry Maguire appears to have nailed down a slot at the heart of England’s defence, while Joe Gomez’s continued development with Liverpool and a host of colossal performances from Tyrone Mings with Villa has put Stones’ starting berth under the microscope.

Stones would undoubtedly represent an upgrade on the Gunners’ current options, and the Sun report reveals that both the player and Arteta share the same same agency.

Stones is described as ‘keen to discuss a move — even if it is on loan.’

Addng more credence to the story, a source in the report is quoted as saying:

“He was in London to see his agent last week and is due back again this week.

“He knows if he is to resurrect his England career he has to get more time on the pitch.

“Arteta is in need of defenders so it could be perfect for both of them.”

The impending return of Aymeric Laporte will further hamper Stones’ likelihood of attaining regular starts, with the widely held belief to be that it will be the Spaniard plus one other at the heart of Pep’s back-line.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid could be set to offer an out-of-favour star as a makeweight in a bid to sign a key Arsenal forward.