Arsenal’s recent showdown with Liverpool revealed the club’s well hidden defensive frailties. Whilst bags of hard work and a good understanding between Per Mertsacker and Laurent Koscielny has helped drive the Gunners up the Premier League table, this isn’t a defense that copes well under pressure.
He may be an organisational genius, but Per Mertesacker sure is slow. If somebody gets in behind him, there’s just no chance that the big German will catch up. Laurent Koscielny has plenty of pace, but he’s also a rash individual who often slides into tackles and challenges that he shouldn’t. This has already resulted in more than one red card this season.
Arsenal do have Thomas Vermaelen in reserve, but the Belgian defender hasn’t been at the races for quite some time. If Vermaelen is called upon this season, he wont be fit and he’ll likely be all out of form.
So here’s hoping that Arsene Wenger signs another defender during the summer transfer window. If the Gunners are to improve as a club, there will definitely need to be more competition in this area. At the very least this would keep Mertesacker and Koscielny on their toes and would hopefully prevent any future 5-1 drubbings.
This brings me to The Mirror‘s claim that Arsenal are in the running to sign FC Basel defender, Fabian Schar. The Swiss ace is also a target for Barcelona, who see him as a long-term replacement for Carlos Puyol.
Those who watched Chelsea take on FC Basel in the Champions League earlier in the season will be well aware of what Schar can offer. He’s got pace along the ground, strength in the air and he knows where to position himself. At just 22-years-old, there’s a good chance that he’s going to blossom into a genuinely world-class talent.
He’d be a good fit for the Gunners, because he’ll take some of the pressure off of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, without necessarily usurping them of their first choice status.
He probably wont come cheap, but promising young footballers such as this rarely do.
What’s your take? Are Arsenal right to be in the market for Fabian Schar? Should they battle it out with Barcelona for his signature?
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