Arsenal Opinion: Why Djene Dakonam will be a top signing for the Gunners

According to a report from Marca, Arsenal are still interested in signing Getafe defender Djene Dakonam this summer.

Djene Dakonam, 27, has established himself as one of the best central defenders in Spain with a series of consistent performances this season. His rock-solid displays in defence haven’t gone unnoticed, with the Togolese defender at the top of Arsenal manager Unai Emery’s summer wishlist. The Gunners are believed to be keen in activating his €35m release clause, adds the report.

Arsenal’s top-four hopes have been dealt with some serious blows in the last few weeks, as Emery’s men have lost three back-to-back games in the Premier League. The Gunners have again been leaky defensively despite the additions of Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Stephan Lichtsteiner in the summer transfer window.

Sokratis has been undoubtedly the best defender in Emery’s first season at the Emirates, but the Greek centre-half has lacked a reliable partner alongside him. Laurent Koscielny has done well since returning from injury, but he has shown signs of ageing, while Shkodran Mustafi has been a liability this campaign.

If Arsenal are planning to compete for the title next season, Emery needs to overhaul his defence completely. It won’t be a simple process and cannot happen in just a couple of transfer windows but if Emery manages to offload some deadwood this summer, the transition into a new era will be easier. Pumping in fresh, reliable and matured blood is vital for Emery and signing Dakonam would certainly be a step in the right direction.

Dakonam has been an immense presence in the Getafe backline this season, impressing with his game-reading and tackling skills, whilst also showing that he has the physicality, positional awareness and the aerial ability to deal with quality strikers.

While the 27-year-old is defensively sound, he has so much more to his list of growing skills which also includes great tactical presence and recovery pace. The Togolese is an able defender, operating very intensely using his stamina, energy, pace and strength to good effect.

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An excellent passer of the ball, Dakonam is a shrewd reader of the game and is an asset to have in the box during set-pieces. All in all, he possesses the qualities needed to flourish in the Premier League.

Verdict

Dakonam ticks all the boxes needed in a modern-day defender and he would be a huge asset for the Gunners. Hence, Emery should not hesitate to splash the cash to bring him to the Emirates this summer in a bid to solve their defensive crisis.