Arsenal are pursuing a double Serie A reinforcement, targeting Atalanta loanee Marco Palestra as a right-back upgrade and Juventus left-back Andrea Cambiaso to shore up the opposite flank. Reports link Manchester City to Palestra too, with Arsenal prepared to bid north of €40m — signings that would directly affect Ben White's role and Myles Lewis-Skelly's playing time at the Emirates.
Arsenal target Marco Palestra as a right-back upgrade
Marco Palestra, the 21-year-old Atalanta player currently on loan at Cagliari, has emerged as a concrete summer target for Arsenal. The Italian full-back combines defensive solidity with attacking instincts suited to the Premier League, and Arsenal are reportedly prepared to offer in excess of €40 million to secure him.
This would be a deliberate search for a natural right-back who can provide width, overlap and one-on-one defensive resilience — areas Arsenal have sought to improve around the back. Palestra's youth and technical profile suggest a high ceiling under Arsenal’s coaching structure.
Why this matters for Ben White and squad structure
Ben White has oscillated between right-back and centre-back roles for Arsenal. Signing a specialist like Palestra would allow White to settle more consistently in the centre or operate as a tactical option rather than a makeshift right-back. That clarity could tighten Arsenal’s defensive shape and give Mikel Arteta more system flexibility.
However, bringing in Palestra is not just about upgrading a single position; it signals Arsenal’s intent to invest in long-term, position-specific recruits rather than re-purposing players out of necessity.
Manchester City interest complicates the Palestra pursuit
Manchester City’s reported interest injects urgency and competitive pressure into any negotiation for Palestra. City’s recruitment model and willingness to spend on young, tactical full-backs makes them a credible rival and could push the fee higher or shift Atalanta’s preference.
For Arsenal, competing with City requires both a convincing sporting case — guaranteed minutes, role clarity — and swift, smart negotiation to avoid being outmaneuvered in a busy market for elite full-backs.
Andrea Cambiaso: Juventus left-back linked as a specialist option
On the opposite flank, Andrea Cambiaso’s name has surfaced as a target to provide Arsenal with a specialist left-back. Cambiaso’s reputation in Serie A for aggressive press, crossing and defensive tenacity makes him an attractive fit for a team that needs balance on both wings.
Unlike a utility solution, Cambiaso is the type of signing that demands a clear starting role. Without assurances of regular minutes, a move to Arsenal risks stunting the player’s development and creating squad discontent.
Impact on Myles Lewis-Skelly and left-back rotation
Young left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly has seen limited opportunities this season. Adding Cambiaso would likely accelerate any decision on Lewis-Skelly’s pathway — whether that is a loan for regular minutes or a redefined role within the first-team rotation. Arsenal must weigh short-term performance goals against the long-term development of academy talent.
What this double pursuit would mean and the next steps
Pursuing both Palestra and Cambiaso signals Arsenal’s ambition to reinforce full-back positions with specialists rather than stopgaps.
The potential outcomes:
- Securing one or both would immediately address width and defensive balance, freeing established players for their optimal roles.
- Failing to land them would keep Arsenal reliant on internal solutions and tactical adjustments.
Next steps for Arsenal will be prioritising which flank is most urgent, presenting clear role and minutes guarantees to targets, and navigating competition — especially from big-spending rivals — before the summer window. Expect negotiations with Atalanta and Juventus to be closely managed, with fees, sell-on clauses and playing-time assurances determining any deals.
Bottom line
Arsenal’s reported interest in Palestra and Cambiaso is a coherent recruitment strategy aimed at converting positional weakness into long-term strength.
Arsenal monitoring Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso
How decisively the club moves, and whether they outbid competitors, will define Arsenal’s defensive setup and squad dynamics next season.
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