Much has been made about Arsenal’s defensive weaknesses this season. In fact, the kind of hyperbole tossed in the Gunner’s direction regarding their defence can be a little overwhelming. The media would have you believe that Arsenal have one of the worst defences in the Premier League and that each member of Arsenal’s back-four is entirely inept. Whilst I’d agree that Arsenal’s defence needs some work, I don’t agree that an entire overhaul is needed.
The individual members of Arsenal’s defence are all very capable, barring perhaps French international Sebastien Squillaci. Bacary Sagna is arguably the best right-back in the Premier League. Laurent Koscielny hasn’t had the best of debut seasons, but at times has shown that he’s an assured, capable defender – just look at the home leg of Arsenal’s Champion’s League game against Barcelona. Johan Djourou is a genuine talent who has developed quickly over the course of this season, despite struggling with injuries. Gael Clichy isn’t a bad player, particularly when it comes to getting forward; he just has a frustrating tendency of switching off when Arsenal need him to be defending.
I grant that Arsenal’s defence doesn’t even come close to rivalling those of Manchester United and Manchester City, but I’d venture that it’s not half as bad as many are keen to make out. There are two key reasons for this: the way that Arsene Wenger sets out his team and a lack of leadership at the back.
The first reason is somewhat obvious. Arsene Wenger will always be a purveyor of fine, free-flowing football. He will always set-up his team in a way that reflects his attacking-football philosophy and emphasis will always be granted to the offense at the expense of the defence. This can often mean that Arsenal don’t work hard enough defensively as a unit (not just at the back) and that the back-four aren’t provided with enough cover. As a result, Arsenal can sometimes struggle at the back.
More often than not this season we’ve seen Djourou partner Laurent Koscielny in the centre of Arsenal’s defence. Though I’d argue that both of them are capable defenders, it’s clear that neither of them are leaders. I doubt either would have the confidence to shout at Gael Clichy were he to switch off during an opposition corner.
Do they have the nous to order their more prominent team-mates around – to tell the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie what positions to take up in the penalty area when they are defending a set-piece? I doubt it.
Whilst Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas can get away with leading by example further up the pitch, it’s not possible for the Gunner’s defenders to do the same. They desperately need a leader.
In this regard, the news that Arsenal’s Belgian bruiser Thomas Vermaelen is well on the road to recovery (having made an appearance against Manchester United’s reserve team last night) should be music to fan’s ears. Not only is he an excellent defender, in the Nemanja Vidic mould, but he’s also a fighter, motivator and a leader. A fully fit Thomas Vermaelen partnering Johan Djourou in the centre of Arsenal’s defence is an entirely different prospect from a Djourou-Koscielny partnership. Arsenal would be better organised, deal with set-pieces in an orderly fashion would eventually iron out the frustrating mistakes that have marred the Gunner’s season this time round.
Indeed, if Arsene can imbue a more defensive-mindset through the squad (without compromising his own footballing philosophy) and Vermaelen can find fitness over the summer, I see no real need to make any changes to Arsenal’s defensive personnel. Next season, Thomas Vermaelen could make all the difference.
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No they dont if they are to have similar seasons