Arsenal to move for Van Aanholt

Arsenal are preparing to move for Crystal Palace’s Patrick van Aanholt, according to the Mirror.

Manager Mikel Arteta has been forced to use right-back Cedric Soares on the left defensive flank in the last couple of matches due to Kieran Tierney picking up an injury and Sead Kolasinac leaving to rejoin Schalke 04 on loan. His usual go-to man in these situations, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, is reportedly close to leaving on loan for the rest of the season as well. Quite apart from all these issues, Tierney has no competition in the squad and the need for the Gunners to sign a left-back is quite obvious.

Van Aanholt went through the youth ranks at Den Bosch and PSV Eindhoven, before joining Chelsea’s Under-18 side in 2007. He was promoted to the first team two years later but was never given a proper chance at Stamford Bridge. He had numerous loan spells instead and eventually got a permanent move to Sunderland in 2014. Three years later, Crystal Palace paid around £10 million to take him to Selhurst Park, and that’s where he’s been since.

This season, the 30-year-old nine-time Dutch international has so far had one assist and no goals in 12 appearances in the Premier League and the FA Cup combined.