I’d take Tarkowski at Arsenal in a heartbeat – Nicholas

Arsenal should look to sign James Tarkowski from Burnley during the summer, according to former Gunners striker Charlie Nicolas.

The former Highbury hitman believes that the current defence is not good enough and that the man tasked with replacing Arsene Wenger in the dugout should look to strengthen as a priority.

He would advise taking a chance on the 25-year-old centre-back, who recently won his first England cap and has been widely tipped for a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad at World Cup 2018.

“I’d take him in a heartbeat, please!” he said on Sky Sports’ ‘Soccer Saturday’. “I don’t need fancy stuff at the back, I want someone who’s good at his job and shows an authority. Who comes and heads the ball. He’s got an authority about him now.”

Tarkowski has been noted for his tidy approach on the ball and his ability to play in a solid, unfussy manner without making errors – a significant departure from the current Gunners rearguard.

“I look at our centre-backs at Arsenal and they scare me to death,” Nicholas said. “They make mistakes all over the place.”

Burnley have played eight times this season without the former Oldham and Brentford man and they have lost each of those games.