Could a durable arsenal ship become a modern battleship?

Would a heavily compartmented arsenal ship be the closest modern analogue to a traditional battleship?

Potentially yes. A large missile ship designed to absorb damage and keep fighting could reproduce the battleship's combination of durability and concentrated firepower.

A viewer proposes adapting the arsenal ship around a durable hull, using mass, internal volume, extensive compartmentation, and selected special materials. The intention is to absorb hits without sinking or losing much combat capability. Its battleship-like feature would be the ability to keep returning equal or greater firepower after taking punishment. The viewer argues that a high unit cost could be worthwhile if the ship absorbs an attack that would disable several less protected combatants. Clarke agrees that their concepts have substantial common ground, while leaving room to disagree over details. Their agreement concerns the design concept; the exchange does not establish a tested level of protection or an affordable final specification.