Arsenal 'send scouts to watch Real Sociedad centre-back Robin le Normand' to replace Rob Holding

Arsenal have reportedly sent scouts to watch Real Sociedad duo Martin Zubimendi and Robin Le Normand, as they look ahead to potential off-season recruits.

The Gunners have drawn their two most recent games after seven consecutive wins, and the dropped points have hindered the club's search for a first title in almost two decades.

It has focused Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta into potentially looking at strengthening his squad ahead of next year's campaign, which will almost certainly come with extra Champions League responsibilities.

Arsenal's interest in Zubimendi has been long established, but the new desire to court Le Normand, for a possible £44m, could see the Frenchman replacing Rob Holding in the squad's defence.

Football journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that Arsenal had sent a scout to view both Zubimendi and Le Normand on his Substack CaughtOffside.

Romano wrote: 'Arsenal sent their scouts to follow both Martin Zubimendi and Robin Le Normand this year as they’re doing excellent with Real Sociedad, but nothing is concrete yet.

'The Gunners’ plans on new signings will be made in the next weeks, nothing is advanced yet. The price for Le Normand is the release clause: €50 million.'

Holding's role with the Gunners has come under question, particularly when he has had to step in to replace the in-form William Saliba.

Saliba has been out of action with a back injury, and his absence has come just as Arsenal have started to look shaky in defence, losing a 2-0 lead twice in a row, first to Liverpool and then to West Ham.

It has led to the 26-year-old Le Normand being considered as a possible option to bolster Arsenal at the back.

Le Normand has been at Sociedad since 2016, and has played over 170 games at centre-back in all competitions for the LaLiga club.

Arsenal had previously stated they were willing to pay the £52.5m release clause to sign Zubimendi, but the player said in March that he would not leave Real Sociedad.

The 24-year-old Spanish midfielder has played over 100 times for the first-team since 2019, having worked his way up from the Real Sociedad youth team.

Arsenal are four points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of Friday's clash with Southampton, while 4th-placed Real Sociedad host Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga on Saturday.