Ahead of the summer, Arsenal are said to be considering a move for Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen.
A lot of Arsenal fans might conclude that Mikel Arteta’s squad simply needs attacking additions in the summer — something that was evident in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth.
However, Arsenal might be losing important members of their defensive unit this summer and Andrea Berta has an understated task on his hands.
Jakub Kiwior wants to leave Arsenal and the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko might follow Kieran Tierney out of the exit door too.
Therefore, Arsenal are interested in Huijsen, who gave another stunning account of his ability at the Emirates Stadium.
Dean Huijsen amazed by Arsenal target Antoine Semenyo
Huijsen was excellent against Arsenal and it was obviously the Spaniard who got Bournemouth level at 1-1.
The centre-back beat David Raya with a deft header at his compatriot’s far post after an outrageous long-throw proved to be too much for Arsenal to cope with.
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Of course, it was Arsenal target Antoine Semenyo who launched the ball in, another player who’s thought to be admired by Arteta.
And when speaking to Sky Sports after full-time, Huijsen admitted that he ‘honestly’ didn’t think Semenyo had that throw in his locker.
Initially speaking about the game itself, Huijsen said: “First of all we knew that we have never got a point here and that motivated us more. We’re a team that always give our all.
“It’s a really important three points for us.
“In the first half with phases we were good. In the second half, we put more rhythm into the match and it worked.”
Then speaking about Semenyo’s long-throw, Huijsen continued: “Honestly I didn’t expect him to throw it that long. We tried it in a few other games and it was trial and error, but it worked today.
“I’m always joking with Antoine Semenyo so I can’t make anymore jokes!”
Dean Huijsen could replace Jakub Kiwior
Of course, if Arsenal get their way, it could be Huijsen lining up alongside William Saliba were Gabriel Magalhaes to be missing through injury next season.
With no disrespect to Kiwior, Huijsen would be a considerable upgrade and Arteta would actually be able to rest his starting pair without much hesitation.
Arteta has been complimentary about Kiwior but Huijsen is already among the league’s best at just 20-years-old.
Liverpool also want Huijsen too and perhaps a starting spot alongside Virgil van Dijk might be tempting for the youngster who was actually born in the Netherlands.
An excellent young defender and his signature will be as hotly contested as the likes of Milos Kerkez alongside him, two glowing examples for Bournemouth’s recruitment team.
