4 players who could solve Arsenal’s right-back problem

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has been inconsistent this season, but the Gunners don’t have a viable replacement in the side.

Carl Jenkinson is out on loan with Birmingham City and hasn’t started a Premier League game for Arsenal since November 19, 2016, and Mathieu Debuchy was recently sold to AS Saint-Etienne.

It means Arsene Wenger could look to the transfer market in the summer to find some competition and a secondary option to Bellerin, and there are four talented players whom Arsenal might consider ahead of next season.

#4 Sime Vrsaljko – Atletico Madrid

The Atleti defender has been linked with Arsenal for some time, turning down the London side to join the La Liga outfit 18 months ago.

Vrsaljko could be available in the summer due to a lack of playing time at the Wanda Metropolitano. The 26-year-old made just three league appearances between August and December and has hardly featured in the Copa Del Rey and Champions League this season.

Vrsaljko, signed from Sassuolo in 2016, is worth around £17m and has averaged a tackle or interception every 24 minutes. He’s made three assists but has only made four successful dribbles and eight chances. Bellerin trumps him offensively, but the Croatian international is stronger at the back.

#3 Silvan Widmer – Udinese

Udinese's Silvan Widmer was reportedly shortlisted by Arsenal's new Head of Football Relations.

Udinese defender Silvan Widmer was linked with Arsenal before the January transfer window opened this season, with Head of Football Relations Raul Sanllehi reportedly having sounded him out as a transfer target.

The 24-year-old could certainly compete with Bellerin based on his defensive qualities - averaging a tackle or interception every 18 minutes - but isn’t too proficient going forward.

Widmer, who joined Udinese from Granada in 2013, has made only six accurate crosses, created eight chances and made five successful dribbles.

#2 Djibril Sidibe – AS Monaco

Arsenal could have stiff competition for the signature of AS Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe.

Monaco right Djibril Sidibe continues to be linked with a move away from the Stade Louis II, and this summer could see him consider his future.

Arsenal have been linked since 2016, with the £34.3m defender turning down a move to the Emirates due to fears over playing time.

He’s the subject of interest from a number of clubs, meaning the Gunners have competition for his signature, but Sidibe would be a worthy addition. The 25-year-old has scored and created five goals in 16 Ligue 1 starts, created 19 chances and made 16 successful dribbles.

Defensively, Sidibe is strong too, boasting a tackle or interception every 25 minutes. He wouldn’t come cheap but he might be worth the money for Arsenal.

#1 Elseid Hysaj – Napoli

SSC Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj won't come cheap but he would improve Arsenal's squad.

Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj is a player on the Arsenal radar. The 24-year-old, who joined from Empoli in 2015, has impressed as a regular in the Serie A.

Hysaj averages a tackle or interception every 26 minutes while making 19 successful dribbles and creating 14 chances.

The £67m Albanian international is better defensively than going forward, as shown by his four accurate crosses made this season, but he’d certainly shore up Arsenal’s backline.