Arsene Wenger typically likes his players to be technically gifted, agile to the extent of being light-weight and fleet-footed. With some notable exceptions, this preference has even tended to weigh into his decision making process when it comes to purchasing centre-backs. Regular centre-backs Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci aren’t known for their physicality.
Depending on how you look at things then, it’s a surprise that Wenger’s thought to be interested in Blackburn Rover’s Christopher Samba. It’s a surprise to the extent that if a transfer goes through it’s evidence that Wenger may be changing his ways. It’s little surprise to the extent that Arsenal’s defence has been the least effective area this season and that changes have become not just preferable but absolutely necessary.
Regardless, numerous news outlets are reporting that Arsenal are set to launch a bid of around £8m for Christopher Samba.
He’s a strong defender who’s good in the air (as you’d hope from a player who is that tall) and will hopefully help Arsenal to stop conceding so many goals from set-piece situations. He’s also focused and can put in a good tackle.
Despite having a fairly good reading of the game, I do wonder whether Samba would adapt to this Arsenal team. Blackburn tend to play with the centre-backs holding a very deep line as they are used to the big teams taking the fight to them. That works fine for Samba who isn’t the most mobile of players and who is able to sit back and soak up the pressure.
Arsenal on the other hand are a whole different kettle of fish. Arsenal tend to hold a high line that suits their free-flowing attacking football. The worry is that Samba isn’t the fastest centre-back and might not be able to cover enough ground to fit adequately into this Arsenal system.
Whilst he may be the perfect tonic to more physical teams, he may get found out when he has to deal with more ‘pacey’ forwards.
The response to this may be that the tactics, rather than the player in question are the problem. Perhaps Arsenal ought to buy a player like Samba and adapt their system around him. The old system wasn’t working, so it’s up to the Gunners to adapt or die.
But can anybody honestly see Arsene Wenger adopting that sea change next season? His attacking philosophy will still be as evident as ever next season and as such, it’s unlikely that Christopher Samba and his lack of pace is the right solution to Arsenal’s defensive problems.
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Well, maybe we should just play with a deeper back line then. but our main problem is , set pieces, infact its probably the main problem.
to name just a few teams who have BATTERED us at set plays this year
stoke
spurs
bolton
toon
wigan
sunderland
we need a samba. we have vermaelens pace anyway.
The thing is players like Koshcielny are excleent against the likes of barca and man u because as you point out they are quick and read the game well. They are not good against the likes of Stoke though, this is where Samba comes into his own and if we carry 4 center backs lets have some variety
No! Samba is African, he’ll adapt. Wenger knows how to get the best out of his players and he will Samba. After all I believe Samba is faster than Sol Campbell.
Bit harsh on Djourou, I think. He’s reasonably physical, and has used his strength and speed to keep Drogba quiet on a couple of occasions.
What utter nonsense! Samba is powerful, commanding and good in the air. He is just what the doctor ordered! Those so called fleet of feet get too involved in the attack when they should be primarily defending. I have witnessed Vermalean walking back from the opposition half ejected after we have conceeded a goal and it is not pretty.
Oh and tony Adams was lightening fast…and bould… Get a grip we are conceding through set plays he’s just what we need. OMG get a grip man
The system Adams played in was very different.
It was the only system that has brought us success in recent times.
For anyone who has watched Samba the past three years it is ridiculous to say that he is not mobile. Just two seasons ago he played at CF for a number of games provided a few goals and showed excellent control, a good ground game, speed and dexterity.
Google it and you can see for yourself.
He is no slower than DJ or Koz, makes few mistakes, definitely more mobile than the Squid and dominates in the air. Why wouldn’t he adapt to our game.
we don’t need another centre half that can pass the ball and play ‘the arsenal way’, we need someone like Samba. He’s not scared of getting his head stuck in and when he does he won’t end up on the deck with a ligament injury.
I don’t see your point, we beat most of the big points last year therefore samba may not get in here if you think he’s slow, although we collapsed throughout the season because we lost to nobody teams, who samba dominates against week in week out, therefore we need him because of this, to pick up those points against the weaker teams.
*teams
And your point is? You really shouldn’t expect us to read your mind.
i know what you mean about him not being that quick, but i do feel we need a big strong defender and samba is one of those. Plus doesn’t mean he will start every game we can rotate a lot of the centre backs play samba against teams that usually dominate us in the air and play djouro or kos in the games where teams are faster. Also more rotation will stop defenders getting burnt out and injured at important times.
I do beleive it comes down to the system we play, being better defensilvy in the middle of the park would help the back line. knowing when to keep a high line and when to retreat is a skill on its own. variation and ituition will play a bigpart. Going back to this years key areas, Set peices has to be the biggest negative. Bring Samba I say, he might raise the toughness of the team with is presence.
Samba will be the physical presence that we are lacking, a no nonsense blood and guts defender that will give the defence stability and also our goalkeeper a bit more confidence, I am sure that is why all of our keepers make errors of judgement because of what is happening in front of them. We also need a new “Viera”, someone that will give the back four more protection. It would hurt but signing Defoe, as has been suggested elsewhere, would make good sense, he is a clinical finisher which is again something that we are lacking although RVP is doing a good job Defoe is a different type of player the kind we were hoping Jeffers was going to be. 3 new players job done.