Despite Arsenal’s defensive renaissance over the last couple of weeks, there’s something festering in the heart of Arsenal’s back-line. Something stinky and off colour.
There’s a certain something about the Gunners’ defense that seems to poison everything it touches.
Wojciech Szczesny, Arsenal’s last line of defense, used to be one of the most confident, boisterous and downright obnoxious footballers in Europe. Now he’s been reduced to a gibbering wreck, whose mentality has been compromised and his long-term future questioned.
The same is true of Thomas Vermaelen – once one of the most imposing centre-backs in the game. Nowaday’s however, he doesn’t seem to instil any fear in attacking players. Mistakes, poor decisions and a lack of conviction have blighted his game in recent months.
Per Mertesacker may be able to marshal a back four, but his lack of pace can be easily exploited. I’m not certain he’s ever likely to properly establish himself in the Premier League.
Andre Santos has been carted back to Brazil. Bacary Sagna is a shadow of his former self. Laurent Koscielny is a red card magnet. I haven’t even got to Sebastien Squillaci yet.
Hopefully you get my point. This Arsenal system doesn’t play to defender’s strengths. The system takes players in, chews them up and spits them out.
More so than any other club, Arsenal need to constantly refresh their defense to keep players on their toes and stop complacency kicking in. This summer will be no different. Let’s hope Arsene Wenger is ready to make some defensive additions to stop the slump.
There are certainly plenty of options out there. Take, for instance, Sengalese International Cheikhou Kouyate, an Anderlecht star who has earned a healthy reputation over in Belgium. It just so happens that he’s been dropping a few hints:
“I like Arsenal because they play good football. There have been enquiries before, but nothing happened. I do not want to say where I am going, but this will be my last season with Anderlecht.” (Source: Sky Sports)
This, for my money, is a good move. He’s a pacey, powerful defender, the likes of which Arsenal haven’t had around for too long. He’d partner Thomas Vermaelen/Laurent Koscielny well and may even be able to pump confidence back into the Arsenal back-line.
Arsene Wenger will have to fight off competition from Borussia Dortmund, Zenit St Petersbury and Anzhi Makhachkala, but I’d say he’d be worth it.
What’s your take? Should Arsenal be in the market for Cheikhou Kouyate?
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i think arsenal should go for jeremy toulalan of malaga. We could throw bendner+£6m in the deal as they only have roque santa cruz who is a recognised striker.
We should also take isco of them and give them andre santos plus £15m as they need a nacho replacement;)
Aprtly said. Good business. Nicely said. GoGunners4Eva
I want Arsene wenger 2 luk 4 gud defensive players dt wil patner Laurent Konscieny.
Go for it! Id love him in our team
you tried very hard to justify your article with a million unprovable hypotheses…… All untrue. Our horrible defenders(as you see them) are the 4 best in the league. That Belgian guy can join us but only at our convinience…. That is the beauty of Wenger’s system. The team always greater than the players. Ask 99% of those who have left.. Is it a coincidence that V-whatever has gone 13 games without scoring. I think not. He would never do that at the Arse because of the system… The Wenger system
Isn’t he a defensive midfielder? Can play at centre-back but not an outright defender.
Honestly speaking, this guy will boost Arsenal defence in a great deal. Please Wenger, get him, his defensive skills and talents are excellent. I also think the price tag is cheap, more so he has love for Arsenal, he is a BIG FAN.
A stink about the D? Chez/Verm both benched, which completely avoid, Kos isn’t a red magnet, and Per does read the game well. WHY AVOID THE STATS? Because they prove the opposite of your ramblings! Oh and Kouyate is just going to jump right in striaght from a c league(laughable). WE NEED TOP CLASS, which you either don’t understand or just have the obsessive need to try and sensationalize everything. POOR, POOR EFFORT, basically shite. LAST TIME READER!
Please Arsène go for AJAX Belgian Gladiator. Thank you.
I don’t kno dis guy bt if he’s trueli strong, fast, intelligent and a dependable defender then, evri team needs his kind as well as Arsenal does. Wat Arsenal’s team & defence lacks principally now is confidence and Vermaelen has been d Villain. He’s d Captain of d team n he looks too shaky and scared of making mistakes which he ends up almost always making. We need a pacey strong n intelligent defender who cn partner Koscielny n Vermaelen (if he eva returns 2 form agn or else, I’d hav preferred 2 ship him n Mertsacker out 4 big fees n obtain 2 new Centre backs). Itz all about dependability n efficiency of d player irrespective of who he is n where he’s coming from. Mertsacker’s just 2 slow 4 Arsenal n d EPL n Vermaelen is now withered n somewhat useless 2 d team so y not, new defensive signings are needed paramountly. COYG!!!