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Arsenal seek summer signature of Subotic to bolster backline

| 12.03.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Arsenal will look to boost their defensive options this summer with a bid for Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic, as Arsene Wenger aims to improve his lacklustre backline for next season.

The Gunners, 25/1 to reach this year’s Champions League final, have endured a relatively successful campaign so far, climbing to third place in the Premier League and recently toppling Manchester United to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

Despite their progression this term, Arsenal’s defence has come under the spotlight, with giant German centre back Per Mertesacker having had a mixed season, after helping his country lift the World Cup in Brazil last summer.

Wenger is reportedly planning for life after Mertesacker, with the club’s vice-captain now 31 years old, and continuously showing signs of decline over the course of this current campaign. Towering Serbian Subotic would potentially be a perfect replacement for the ageing World Cup winner, with his imposing defensive qualities.

The courageous Dortmund defender has played a key role in two Bundesliga title-triumphing teams, while also helping to guide Jurgen Klopp’s Black and Yellows to the 2013 Champions League final, only to be overcome by bitter rivals Bayern Munich.

Serbia international Subotic has also been a vital aspect of his side’s recent domestic revival, as Dortmund climb further towards a European position, despite having incredibly dropped into the German league relegation zone for a short period this year.

Another positive for the Bundesliga battlers, and potentially Arsenal, is that Subotic has also managed to remain fit for the majority of this season, following previous troublesome spells with injury.

The 26-year-old is a mammoth centre back figure, standing at an intimidating 6ft 3in, and could provide Premier League top four hopefuls Arsenal with some much-needed stability at the back, with French boss Wenger still not sure of his best defensive unit.

However, the Gunners are reportedly keen to strengthen in other areas of the pitch, with midfielders and a new goalkeeper also top priorities for the London outfit when this season draws to a finish.

Although, with their defence clearly needing a boost in potent personnel, Subotic could be the man to sure-up the Emirates’ battling backline. The Serbian star’s current employers Dortmund are still involved in this season’s elite European competition, as well as his possible new suitors Arsenal.

Wenger’s men are available at 66/1 to lift the Champions League trophy in Berlin this year, while Dortmund are a 33/1 chance, after stumbling to a 2-1 first leg defeat to Juventus.

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Author

Lee Gormley

Lee joined the Coral team in 2014 after studying at Leeds Trinity University, having moved across the water from Ireland, and has plenty of industry experience from his time with various news outlets in both England and Northern Ireland. After graduating with a BA Honours degree in Sports Journalism, he has since become an important member of the talented sports desk, passionately covering boxing, football and snooker, among many other sports. Lee is also a massive Manchester United and Republic of Ireland fan, but curbs any bias during his work, and outside of his job can be found regularly taking part in sport himself, such as boxing, GAA and football.