A £7m solution to Arsenal’s lack of backbone?

Before Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, Arsenal looked to have one of the best defences in the Premier League. Two hours later, fans may well be justified in casting their doubts.

Laurent Koscielny slowly but surely established himself as Arsenal’s Mr Consistent last season. But during Saturday’s game, he looked like a shadow of his former self, giving away two costly goals. During the first, he allowed himself to get bullied by Fernando Torres (of all people) and for the second, he put the ball in his own net. Calamitous.

Even Thomas Vermaelen looks a little shaken. In the last two-three weeks, he has given away a penalty and two costly free kicks.

For a defence that’s been so highly lauded this season, the Arsenal back four don’t half look a little lackluster. Only Per Mertesacker has maintained his reputation, though it’s well known he has all the pace of Emile Heskey carrying his own body-weight in bricks on his back.

Perhaps the Gunners aren’t as secure at the back as they like to think. I’m not surprised that the Papers continue to link Arsene Wenger’s side to new defenders. The latest defender linked to Arsenal is Switzerland’s own Aleksandar Dragovic. talkSPORT claim he’s being lined up as a potential solution to Arsenal’s soft centre.

He’s currently playing for FC Basel and has an evaluation of around €7m. That’s the kind of price-tag that Arsene Wenger just loves. He’s loathe to splash the cash and is always on the look-out for a bargain. Dragovic fits that profile.

He’s strong, physical and has great awareness. He cuts an imposing figure and isn’t afraid to use his physicality to bully opposition strikers. He’s also great in the air and doesn’t seem to have a clear weakness to his game (beyond the fact that he hasn’t been tested at the very top level). According to talkSPORT, he’s the ‘best central defender in Switzerland’. Quite the compliment I’m sure – haven’t they seen Johan Djourou and Philippe Senderos?

Whilst I don’t doubt Dragovic’s defensive prowess, I think the time’s probably right for Arsenal to stand by their men. Thanks to Arsene Wenger’s system, Arsenal defenders usually come off looking like clumsy oafs. You do get the feeling, however, that the likes of Vermaelen, Mertesacker and Koscielny are a cut above. If anything, the focus needs to change to ensure that these players are getting the coaching they need to succeed and have players in front of them who are willing to put in a shift.

There’s no need to run out and panic buy – not just yet anyway.

What’s your take? Should Arsenal be looking for a new defender?

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