Arsenal opted against making a move for Aaron Hickey despite it being claimed earlier in the summer that they were actively scouting the defender.
With the Scottish international now heading to Brentford for £14m, supporters on Twitter have been discussing whether the Gunners should have made more of an effort to sign the left-back:
He would have be good for us as he can play on the RB and the LB as well
— lewis gibson 🇬🇧🇺🇦🙏 (@lewisgibson5) July 2, 2022
He was literally one of the best Left Backs in Serie A last season what u mean academy player lol
— Savage Robbie (@mobo20130563) July 2, 2022
14mill is a bit expensive for him no ?
— Huan Lee (@huan_lee2) July 3, 2022
Never a arsenal potential
— kingsley mbagho (@Teftyking) July 2, 2022
Are you telling me he isnt better than Tavares
— Don Bruce (@donbruce561) July 2, 2022
Still very raw watched him play for scotland against ukraine wouldn't be right bringing him in now.
— Shaun (@_shaunyb) July 2, 2022
It’s an interesting debate. As things stand, manager Mikel Arteta isn’t exactly short of fullbacks. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Cedric and Hector Bellerin can all cover the right-hand side.
On the other flank, Arsenal currently have Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares at their disposal. The latter has been linked with a loan move away from the Emirates but even if he were to leave, the club are pursuing another signing who could provide cover in that area.
The Gunners are pushing ahead with plans to snap up Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, and it’s likely that their interest in the Argentinian international stopped them from going after Hickey as well.
