Arsenal make approach to sign Juventus centre-back in bid to fix leaky defence

He could be a significant upgrade.

Arsenal are in a state of transition. Under new boss Unai Emery, they have become more aggressive without the ball, but that has not solved their defensive problems. Individual mistakes are still costing them, and shoring up the backline is the next logical step in their development. The club have reportedly made an approach to sign Mehdi Benatia from Juventus, according to Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.  Benatia captained Morocco at the World Cup last summer and is rated as one of the best central defenders in Europe, having played for Juve, Bayern Munich and Roma. But this season he has found himself struggling for game time, with Juve boss Max Allegri reluctant to deviate from the tried and tested partnership of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci after the latter's return to Turin. Benatia has only made seven appearances for the Serie A champions this season, and could be tempted with a move to Arsenal, where he would instantly become their best defender. The north London club are looking likely to lose Aaron Ramsey to Juventus on a free transfer after the club and the player failed to agree on a new contract, with his current deal expiring in June 2019. Arsenal might be hoping that can be used as a negotiating tool in the Benatia deal. Arsenal are also suffering from a lot of defensive injuries and need reinforcements this January. Their injury crisis has forced Emery into playing Granit Xhaka as a centre-back at times, as well as moving Stephan Lichtsteiner inside from his natural wing-back position. Gunners fans will be hopeful that the club manage to sign Benatia, with many frustrated by continuous mistakes from Shkodran Mustafi. Laurent Koscielny made his return from an Achilles injury recently, but a catalogue of injuries throughout his career have clearly taken their toll on the 33-year-old, who looks a shadow of his former self.