Arsenal travel to Stoke today facing something of a defensive dilemma. Johan Djourou hobbled off the pitch against Manchester United last week nursing an injury which necessitated the introduction of French international Sebastien Squillaci. The question now is whether Arsene Wenger sticks with Squillaci who fails to inspire much confidence amongst fans or switches things up by playing Thomas Vermaelen alongside Laurent Koscielny in the centre of Arsenal’s defence.
The big Belgian has been out of action for Arsenal since August when he picked up a seemingly innocuous, but apparently devastating Achilles injury. He’s been tipped to make a return on numerous occasions already this season, but has suffered numerous set-backs in his convalescence. The belief is that he’s now ready to make an appearance for the first team once more. If he does make his return, Arsenal fans will be crossing their fingers that he makes it through the game unscathed.
Sebastian Squillaci on the other hand is also a risk, but for another matter entirely. Since his arrival at the Emirates questions have been raised as to whether he has the ability to make it at the club. At the moment he’s very much Arsenal’s third choice centre-back behind Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny and he’s likely to find himself slipping further down the pecking order once Vermaelen has made his full return. Squillaci just doesn’t seem to have the awareness or the pace to cut it in the Premier League.
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Arsenal’s defensive dilemma, then, is the choice between a man who is unreliable (to the extent that he’s an injury risk) and a man who’s seemingly incapable.
I realise that Arsenal are going to have to risk Vermaelen eventually. But to re-introduce him to the rigours of the Premier League after just one reserve game against Manchester United last Thursday seems too much too fast. The Belgian bruiser may be the last player in Arsenal’s squad who needs a breather, but worries will remain about him aggravating his achilles until he has been successfully reintroduced into the first-team – something that needs to be done slowly and with great caution.
Stoke are a tough, physical side who are sure to try and pick Arsenal off through set-pieces and don’t represent an easy team to make a comeback against. Given that Arsenal’s season is all but over, I don’t see why Arsene Wenger would see fit to risk Vermaelen against the Potters. Give Squillaci the rest of the season in order to see whether he has any future with Arsenal and save Vermaelen for the pre-season.
Great odds: Arsenal to win 3-0 – 12/1.
Good odds: Laurent Koscielny to score at anytime – 10/1.
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