Arsenal have made waves in the transfer window this summer by landing Alexandre Lacazette for a club-record fee and snatching the services of Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer from Schalke, though so far it’s the former player grabbing most of the headlines.

Lacazette’s arrival as Arsenal’s new number nine has got fans excited as they anticipate the French striker will be a huge addition to their ranks, giving them the top-class striker they’ve lacked in recent years, but Kolasinac’s arrival also strengthens Arsene Wenger’s ranks significantly.

The Bosnian full-back will be seen as the long-term replacement for the ageing Nacho Monreal and the fact he excels in a wing-back role, which Arsenal adopted to enjoy great success at the back-end of last season, means the Gunners could have a huge asset on their hands.

As well as being an imposing figure, the 6ft defender will also help the sides mentality- according to his former Schalke boss Jens Keller and former team-mate Timo Hildebrand, the latter of whom told Sky Sports:

“He is so strong that nobody can stop him. He is really strong and also a fighter. He had those qualities even when he was a young player coming through the ranks at Schalke. He is a very good player and I think he is going to do well in the Premier League. He is the perfect signing for Arsenal.”

The praise for Kolasinac was echoed by Schalke’s sporting director Gerhard Zuber, who has known the Bosnian since the pair were at VfB Stuttgart.

“I know him very well. Sead was one of the players that I knew from when we were at VfB Stuttgart. We drafted him from the Under-17 team at VfB Stuttgart and took him to the Under-19 team at Schalke 04. I loved him because we always thought he had the spirit and all the skills required to be successful in the left-back position.”

“If you play with three defenders he can play on the left side of the three. He also did a good job on the left wing for Schalke last season. He can play as a No.6 in midfield or even as a central defender. He is a multi-functional player.”

Kolasinac’s versatility will certainly come in handy and adds to a side that boasts significant depth in multiple areas, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain able to play on the wings, at wing back or in central midfield, Aaron Ramsey capable of playing a holding role or further forward and Theo Walcott capable of playing in central attack or out wide.