Arsenal have put a new central defender on their summer shopping list , throwing Per Mertesacker 's role at the club into doubt . Gunners scouts have been instructed to identify potential central defensive targets this summer , despite the fact Gabriel only arrived from Villarreal in January . Borussia Dortmund 's Neven Subotic has been scouted in recent months , while Aleksandar Dragovic is also on the club 's radar . Per Mertesacker impressed in Arsenal 's victory at Manchester United in the FA Cup on Monday evening . The World Cup winner , pictured celebrating with Aaron Ramsey , has been criticised this season . Gabriel and Laurent Koscielny 's place in Arsene Wenger 's plans for next season look secure . But the arrival of a new centre back in the summer is likely to have repercussions for Mertesacker . The German 's performance have been criticised this season , though he was excellent in Monday 's euphoric FA Cup win over Manchester United . Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic has been scouted in recent months by Arsenal . Aleksandar Dragovic , pictured in action for Dynamo Kiev , has also been targeted by the Gunners . He was recently dropped by Wenger , but Gabriel 's hamstring injury has seen the defender handed an instant route back into the first-team . And the arrival of a new centre-half could marginalise Mertesacker 's role in Wenger 's plans . The capture of a new central defender could also have consequences for Calum Chambers . The England international has been used as cover at centre-back this season , but the club 's transfer plans could mean Wenger sees his long-term future at right-back or holding midfield .
Arsene Wenger has put a new defender at the top of his shopping list . mi Subotic and Aleksandar ##an are both on the club 's radar . It could have been for World Cup winner Per Mertesacker . The defender has been criticised this season although he impressed in Arsenal 's FA cup victory against Manchester United at Old park . CLICK HERE for all the latest Arsenal news .