Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly planning a surprise move for former Manchester City defender John Stones, who is a free agent after ending a ten-year stint at the Etihad Stadium this summer. The Gunners are looking for defensive reinforcements amid concerns over an injury to William Saliba.
Saliba's Injury Concerns
The French international has been playing with a back fracture since April, according to reports. Saliba was forced off at half-time during France's World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain. Speaking to L'Equipe, Saliba revealed: "I've had some minor niggles for several months. I've been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well. The World Cup comes around only once every four years, so you've got to grit your teeth. I'm not at 100 per cent, but there are plenty of players who aren't at 100 per cent either. You can't make excuses. My back gave out."
Stones' Free Agent Status
The Sun reports that Arsenal have turned their attention to Stones, who became the first unattached player to play for England at a World Cup. The 32-year-old played a key role in helping England finish third at the summer tournament. Stones is familiar with Arteta from their time together at Manchester City, where Arteta served as assistant coach under Pep Guardiola.
According to the report, Stones and his representatives will weigh up his options now that the World Cup is over. He has interest from clubs in England and abroad, and working with Arteta again would reportedly be an attractive proposition depending on game time.
Stones' Emotional City Farewell
Stones paid an emotional tribute when confirming his departure from City earlier this year. He said: "It's been my home for the past ten years and it will be my home for the rest of my life. It's been a rollercoaster in many ways. I came as a kid and now leaving as a man becoming a father a husband and on the pitch a very fulfilled player in living all of my dreams out and lifting all the things that I came here to achieve. At the start of my career I never would have thought I'd be in this position - first to achieve everything but to have and love the bond with everyone."
He added: "Every dream has been smashed out of the park. From day one, as soon as I came I felt at home and I felt loved. I can only relate it to me as a little kid. If you'd said to me that I'd be playing at City winning everything, the fans are signing your name and your song throughout the stadium to wherever you go in the world, I don't think I would have believed them. The fans mean everything to me. I hope I've made them proud."
Stones also praised Guardiola: "The manager, how I could describe this ten years with him, I don't think it would have been anywhere as successful without him. The first time that I met him, I left and knew that it was what I wanted to do and where I wanted to be playing under the best manager in the world."
