Desperately Seeking Vermaelen: Potential Defensive Targets for Arsenal

By Nicholas Edwards

With the news today that Thomas Vermaelen has suffered yet another injury set back, seeing him sidelined until at least the end of January, Arsenal fans will be calling on Arsene Wenger to bring in a strong centre half during the transfer window.

It doesn’t take a genius to see that the Gunner’s are a little shaky at the back to say the least. Wenger has revealed that he will not splash out in the January transfer window but with the news of Vermaelen’s continuing absence and with Arsenal in a good position in all competitions, Arsene surely must see the need to invest in his weakest position to help finally end the trophy drought.

I would like to point out that I am not one of these people who bemoan the performances of Koscielny and Squillaci. I think they have done a decent enough job (barring a few nervous performances) and Koscielny still has time to develop into a quality player. Bringing in another centre back should not be seen as a negative reflection on the two Frenchman, it should simply be an addition of extra strength and quality to a team that is continuously attacking and left vulnerable at the back.

So, here is a list of the top five transfer targets that I believe would give Arsenal that added steel in the back line.

Joleon Lescott – The England international has fallen out of favour since Mancini’s arrival at Man City. Kolo Toure and Vincent Kompany are keeping him out of the team and he could look to a new club to help bring him back to his days of solid defending at Everton. Whether Man City will sell to a rival club and whether Arsenal would be willing to match his current wages are two different matters altogether.

Christopher Samba – Recent reports have suggested that Christopher Samba has been left questioning his future at Blackburn after the unceremonious sacking of Sam Allardyce by the new owners. Samba is a big strong presence and is good in the air. He would add a different dimension to the centre half options at the Emirates.

Brede Hangeland – The tall, muscular Norwegian was a target for Arsenal last season and with Fulham failing to impress under new boss Mark Hughes, Hangeland could be forgiven for regretting his decision to stay put. He’s everything Arsenal have been looking for and his price surely must have dropped a little since the summer.

Jan Vertonghen – This is the transfer that I am praying will happen. Vermaelen’s Belgian national team and former Ajax teammate would be an ideal signing. The prospect of the two Belgian players partnering up in central defence is mouth watering. They know each other’s game and are both solid performers. Vertonghen would cost a little more money but would no doubt be worth every penny.

Michael Ciani – I have included a French defender on here because, well, it is Arsene Wenger we’re talking about. The twenty-six year old earned his first cap for the national team earlier this year in a friendly against Spain. He has performed solidly for Bordeaux and has the physical attributes the Gunner’s require. Maybe Chamakh could have a word with his old teammate and sell him on the positives of life in North London.

Any of these five players would add strength and depth to an area of the pitch that is causing the Gunner’s a lot of woe (and has been for a long time now). However, I get the feeling that Wenger will stick by his guns and keep his check book locked away. Surely though, it must be worth the money to have that extra option and allow Wenger to at least give the illusion that he is listening to what the fans want. I’m hoping but I’m not holding my breath.

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