Arsenal and Spurs are having very different seasons right now. The 2022/23 is one of the best the Gunners are having for quite some time now, having been in the title race from matchday one.
Spurs on the other hand are having one of the worst, sitting outside the Champions League spots after sacking Antonio Conte and appointing Cristian Stellini on an interim basis. What both these clubs have in common right now, is their lack of defensive quality. William Saliba and Gabriel have been exceptional at the back for Arsenal. Although ever since the former’s injury, the Gunners have been the shadow of themselves from earlier on this season.
They lack cover in the defensive area and hence the links to Swansea City’s Nathan Wood. The English centre-back joined the Welsh club in the summer of 2022 and is having a breakout season. Arsenal and Spurs have been linked with the young defender since his days at Middlesbrough but no concrete offer was ever made.
The 20-year-old might be key for both North-London clubs to take a step in the right direction, and FootTheBall analyses why the two Premier League big hitters want Wood in their ranks.
How good is Nathan Wood?
Swansea City’s Wood is a really talented and promising young centre-back with an excellent pedigree and exciting potential. Although he hadn’t quite managed to make that full step-up to regular first-teamer at Boro, he’s been on the periphery of that since his debut aged just 16. He’s an England youth international and comes through a Boro academy which has a rich history of producing Premier League quality centre-backs.
Now a regular at Swansea City and arguably their best player in the current squad, the English no-nonsense defender is attracting interest from the Premier League.
Nathan Wood, attracting interest after 2002-born CB impressed on England U21 debut and been outstanding for Swansea this season. 🏴
Understand Arsenal and Tottenham are monitoring his performances closely.
Swansea looking to try and extend his contract to prevent summer move. pic.twitter.com/SKVU2VrlLu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 14, 2023
Nathan Wood stats
Wood was capped by England at the Under-15 and Under-16 levels before helping the Under-17s to the European Championship finals in 2019.
He made ten appearances in total for the 17s, captaining them on occasion, before making the step up to the 18s and winning a further nine caps including skippering the side…
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