Do Arsenal need to make signings in central defence still this summer?
Arsenal have so far enjoyed a mixed start to pre-season, losing to Manchester City and drawing with Kitchee, as well as scraping a late win against a Malaysia XI.
Not that it is the results that matters – It is the performances. And it is the showings of his young defenders which have caused Arsene Wenger concern.
“Some players are not yet at the level of the Premier League. It is a learning process. If you don’t do it in pre-season then you never do it – you give them a chance to see what is requested at the top level.”
What we would say to start off with, is that Arsenal’s first choice defensive pairing of Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny is one of the Premier League’s best.
Per Mertesacker, seemingly third choice, is a more than able back-up and will most certainly improve in his second season as he further adjusts to the Premier League.
All three of Vermaelen, Koscielny and Mertesacker have their individual areas for improvement of course, but nothing for fans to be concerned about. Koscielny was arguably the Premier League’s most improved defenders.
It is beyond that where concerns should begin. Most successful clubs should be looking at four solid defenders- football nowadays is a squad game, and Arsenal have a number of fringe pretenders, but none who are yet to convince.
Johan Djourou, Sebastien Squillaci, Ignasi Miquel – All appear not good enough. Miquel remains a prospect, but would benefit from a loan away from Arsenal to play regular football rather than being thrown in ‘every now and then.’
Squillaci has one year left on his deal and looks impossible to shift – He will go down as one of Wenger’s worst signings in recent years. Young Kyle Bartley was even played in the centre during pre-season, but he doesn’t look to be the answer either.
So should Arsenal be looking at buying another centre half? Possibly if they can find the right man.
They were linked strongly with Jan Vertonghen before he made it clear he wanted a move to Tottenham, while Mapou Yanga Mbiwa of Montpellier has also been linked.
Yanga Mbiwa was a teammate of new Arsenal signing Olivier Giroud, and can play anywhere across the backline. He would surely be the right man Wenger needs, able to fill in at right-back with Bacary Sagna nursing his recovery from a broken leg.
AC Milan were linked with a £5 million swoop for him 10 days ago, and his price would certainly be in the Gunners range. Also linked this week is 22-year-old Mamadou Sakho, who is available from PSG.
The club captain is no longer required after Thiago Silva’s arrival, and Arsenal would too be able to snap him up for a bargain price.
So Arsenal’s defence is close to being where it needs to be, despite their pre-season worries. Don’t forget their first choice pairing of Vermaelen and Koscielny are yet to even feature.
They simply need to sign a decent fourth centre back, and get rid of the deadwood. Injuries and suspensions can take their toll, as the Gunners found out last season, and the lack of depth has been shown up this pre-season, so Wenger has no excuses not to act while he can.
Who would you like to see in and out at Arsenal?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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