Arsenal could be interested in bringing Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa to the Emirates Stadium, after the former Liverpool player was touted as a replacement for potentially departing  Thomas Vermaelen, who is linked with a move to Manchester United, according to a report in Metro.

The Gunners have not been able to accommodate Vermaelen in the starting eleven due to the strong partnership of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny in the centre of defence. The pair have been crucial to Arsenal’s success last season, and Arsene Wenger has tried to give Vermaelen playing time at left back instead. However, the former Ajax skipper demanded consistent first team football, and has been linked with a move away from the club. United have been strong contenders, but a deal is yet to be announced.

Arbeloa began his career as a youth player for Madrid, but could not break into the senior team at the time. A short spell at Deportivo La Coruna was enough to convince Liverpool of his talent, and the Merseyside club snapped him up in 2007. Anfield was where his career sparkled, and Arbeloa was Liverpool’s established full back. Madrid then signed him in 2009, and the player was back to the club where he began his journey in the game. However, the 31-year old has fallen down the pecking order at Madrid due to the arrival of Daniel Carvajal from Bayer Leverkusen.

Naturally, Arbeloa could provide cover and depth for Mathieu Debuchy at both their preferred postion of right-back but Arbeloa can provide cover for both full-back positions as well as for the likes of Vermaelen in the centre as previously mentioned, but based on the direction of Wenger’s signings lately Arbeloa seems a bit on the old side at 31 years old.