Arsenal decided to secure Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna on deadline day, rather than going for Brighton star Tariq Lamptey.
The Gunners secured the 22-year-old for £22 million to round off their summer transfer work.
According to The Athletic, the Japanese international can play right back and centre-back in a back four, along with right centre-back in a back three.
Such versatility is appealing to manager Mikel Arteta, who believes having a defender who can work in various positions and formations will be invaluable during the season.
The source also claims that Lamptey's height and aerial weakness was a worry for Arsenal, who do not have the tallest team at present.