Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has urged Mikel Arteta to drop "overrated" Ben White in favour of William Saliba.
White joined the Gunners from Brighton last summer for £50m to become a vital part of Mikel Arteta's starting XI. He has registered 13 clean sheets in 32 Premier League matches.
Meanwhile, Saliba is back at the Emirates Stadium from his loan move and will fight for his place in the first team in the upcoming season.
"I’ve watched Saliba a few times and he’s got that speed that you like to see in a centre-half, and he’s very good at making the right decision at the right time," he told Football Insider, via Football London. "Arsenal’s defence is nowhere near good enough to get top-four.
"For me, Ben White is very overrated, I watched him against Newcastle towards the end of the season and he was absolutely dreadful. He lacks pace, he lacks aggression.
"Yes, he’s good on the ball but he’s not a defensive midfielder, he’s a centre-half. Arsenal need two centre-halves who are no-nonsense and have both got speed.
"For me, Gabriel and Saliba would be my starters next season. With Ben White, I think Brighton are laughing at getting the fee they got for him because he’s not good enough.
"It’s a shame that Arsenal have wasted a lot of money again. It was the same with Pepe. Ben White was not needed and Saliba should start ahead of him."