Arsenal have found themselves seriously short of defensive options this season, but they’re actually pretty fully-loaded when it comes to right-backs.
When everybody’s fit, The Gunners can call upon Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson (who’s currently enjoying a loan spell with West Ham). When you consider that Arsenal only have two real out-and-out centre-backs in their squad, they seem to be fairly spoiled for choice in the right-back berth.
With that in mind, what should we make of The Metro‘s claim that Arsenal have ‘opened talks’ with Juventus ahead of a January deal for Stephan Lichsteiner – their first choice right-back? Could Arsene Wenger really be in the market for another one?
I wouldn’t rule it out. With Carl Jenkinson out on loan at Upton Park, The Professor may feel he needs another option in this position. After all, Mathieu Debuchy is still sidelined with a major injury and Calum Chambers will probably end up playing as a centre-back. When you’ve got all the facts to hand, it’s clear enough that Arsenal have room for one more right-back.
Hopefully that won’t stop Wenger from snapping up a centre-back and a defensive midfielder too.
As for Lichsteiner, he looks like a good option. The 30-year-old has bags of experience (almost 200 games for Juve and 68 caps for Switzerland) and he’s a top performer.
He’s getting on in years, but he’s still pretty pacy. He gets up and down the flanks quickly and he’s equally capable of putting in a well timed challenge as is he is capable of delivering a pin-point cross.
After four years with Juventus, he’s probably ready for a new challenge and one more big contract. Let’s just hope that he’s up for a move to the Premier League. His style of play looks like an excellent fit for English football.
There’s no word as to how much he might cost, but given his age, he probably won’t break the bank. It’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out.
What’s your take? Do Arsenal really need another right-back? Is Stephan Lichtsteiner the right man for the job?
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