Chelsea scouts are set to travel to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to watch Arsenal v Middlesbrough in the Premier League.
According to the Daily Mail, Blues spies have been instructed to run the rule over Boro centre-back Ben Gibson, who is said to be among manager Antonio Conte’s defensive transfer targets.
A match-up against the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil should be a good test for 23-year-old Gibson as he makes his 111th league appearance for the Teesside club.
Gibson has impressed so far this season, coping well during his eight Premier League starts.
He was a key man as Boro clinched promotion from the Championship last term his continued impressive form could see him make his England debut before too long.
Gibson is not the only defender Chelsea have been linked with.
Conte hopes to sign at least once centre-back in the January transfer window, claim the Daily Mail, who name Juventus star Leonardo Bonucci as Chelsea’s no.1 target.
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Arsenal will fancy their chances of spoiling Gibson’s day by beating Boro, who have lost 16 of their 28 Premier League games against the Gunners, drawing seven and winning just five.