Speaking ahead of his side's clash with Manchester City, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger did little to dispel fans' fears over the apparent lack of progress in signing defensive reinforcements during the January transfer window.
"Why have we not signed a defender?" said the Frenchman, before admitting, "We haven't found one."
"We are not the only ones working on the case," he continued, somewhat stating the obvious, "It is not a supermarket where you go in and buy a defender. It is a market that is very restricted."
Rather than looking to sign back up options for first choice centre-back pairing Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, Wenger appeared to suggest he was instead looking for players capable of staking a claim to a first team place.
"The players who can strengthen the best 10 teams in Europe, you don't find many and it is the same for everybody. If it was easy we would do it."
Wenger did at least finally appear to concede that he should have done better business last summer, finishing with, "We have made enquiries but then you have the second handicap - who wants to sell their best player, especially a central defender, in the middle of the season?
"They say, 'come back in June or July'."
Indeed, Arsene, indeed.
Wenger yet to identify defensive target?
posted on 18/1/15
I'm not sure Wenger is looking for a world class defender anyway, he keeps those sort of funds for the attacking side of the squad only. He rarely pays over £13m for a defender. Hence why we are in this defensive problem.
So paying what is needed for 3rd CB doesn't have to be over the odds.
posted on 18/1/15
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 4 minutes ago
You are right, with regards to Hummels. But what about Nastasic? Or Winston Reid? Or Shawcross? Or John Stones?
None of them world class, by any means, but would you rather see any of them at CB for you, or Monreal?
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That's what I am saying mate. Probably players Wenger dont rate enough to improve us immediately. Not saying that I agree with this opinion.
Nastasic is a risk because he didnt play enough and obviously he didnt make it at City. Why do you expect him to do well at Arsenal out of a sudden?
Monreal? One of the most underrated players in your whole squad. He did tremendously well for us even as a CB. Very pleased with him.
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Don't see enough of Monreal, but if Wenger is happy with the quality of his first 11, surely there is still a need for more back-up? ie someone who doesn't need to improve on Monreal/Kos/Mert etc, but someone to avoid the need to play Flamini as an emergency CB if you suffer any more injuries?
Master is right, paying £10m for a 3rd choice CB shouldn't stretch anyone too much, and the scouts should have a list of 30 to choose from who could move (not every club in Europe is in the CL/fighting for a title/fighting relegation).
posted on 18/1/15
Well we need 1 better 2 new defensive players that's for sure. There is absolute no doubt about that.
posted on 18/1/15
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 9 minutes ago
Well we need 1 better 2 new defensive players that's for sure. There is absolute no doubt about that.
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Do we think AW has any doubt about that?
posted on 18/1/15
Think Wenger must be at least slightly concerned about Kos' long term fitness. With that concern must also be a doubt as to Merte's effectiveness in the side, unless a replacement that compliments the German's game can be found and, of course, signed.
posted on 18/1/15
Interesting observation from you abt Mert Lex.
I have to ask. Should we build a defence around someone who is 30 and slow? Or would it be wiser to replace him?
As you know I hate our slow spine. And in fact Henry has just been talking abt that as well, suggesting we have gone backwards over the last few years, precisely because of the lack of strong physical players like Vieira and Gilberto. The key surely should be really replacing the spine completely with fit, younger, faster players?
posted on 18/1/15
The key surely should be really replacing the spine completely with fit, younger, faster players?
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That has been our biggest priority for the last 2 or 3 seasons but unfortunately Wenger seems not to appreciate the importance of athleticism. His persistence with slow centre forwards and sluggish holders, along with his long-standing preference for nimble playmakers over pacey wingers all demonstrate to me that he believes superior technique is the be all and end all. Which has never worked in the history of the game as even the most technical sides such as Barcelona, Spain, Bayern etc. have needed athletic players to be able to play a high line and press, which in turn allows those technical players to thrive.
posted on 18/1/15
Agree 100% renoog.
posted on 18/1/15
"Should we build a defence around someone who is 30 and slow? Or would it be wiser to replace him?"
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I wouldn't go as far as to start building/(depending on Kos' long term fitness) re-building a defence around Merte, but as he showed today, as long as our game plan is right, he is still an important player for us.
posted on 18/1/15
comment by Lexington Sanchez 125.2 (U8879)
posted 18 seconds ago
"Should we build a defence around someone who is 30 and slow? Or would it be wiser to replace him?"
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I wouldn't go as far as to start building/(depending on Kos' long term fitness) re-building a defence around Merte, but as he showed today, as long as our game plan is right, he is still an important player for us.
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My issue is that we need to stay deep for Mert to be effective. With that we have no outball because Giroud finds it hard to stay compact and then have the pace to catch up the counter attack. He was very isolated today.
Today Santi was outstanding. But we can't expect someone so small to carry the ball out of defense every time.
We were slightly lucky that Pelligrini went 4-4-2 early. That gave us the extra man in midfield. On another day it could have back fired.