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Writing in the Evening Standard, legendary England center-back called the current Arsenal back four the best he has seen in years.
He writes, “Arsenal’s success in the early years of Wenger’s reign was built on a solid back four and if they can get that right again now, they will have a good chance of winning silverware.”
Ferdinand in particular highlights new signing Shkodran Mustafi and the pairing of Laurent Koscielny and Mustafi in central defense.
Mustafi came to Arsenal this past summer on a £35 million transfer (after years of fans clamoring to upgrade the position, as Ferdinand notes) and has looked to be well worth the money so far.
Ferdinand also had plenty of praise for Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin, who he called “ . . . probably the best right-back in the Premier League right now. He is supremely quick, not shy in getting forward, but likes to defend as well.”