Possible short-term solution to our defense

who will you take out of midfield for Santos ?

Could work I guess

why aren't you a manager?

Good idea, but I fear it may turn into Eboue situation?

And drop who Gervinho.

No thanks.

how about playing santos as a defensive mid. if that doesnt work we could always move chamakh there

I actually agree. I'd been thinking the same thing.

Santos has left winger written all over him. He has good close control, can get past defenders and a good eye for goal. Let him compete with Arshavin for the left attacking position and put Vermaelen into LB.

People are talking about not breaking up Per and Koscielny but we still need TV on the pitch to organise the defence and inspire the team. Santos has already shown his weakness in the LB position and Vermaelen is the logical replacement looking at our currently available players. Vermaelen is also strong going forward.

Koscielny is looking class at the moment and Per is needed for his aerial presence. Santos obviously has some defensive strengths or Wenger would never have played him in the LB position, so sitting in front of Vermaelen he would be able to provide sufficient cover.

I would view our left-side as pretty damn strong with that setup.

Square pegs in round holes? Been there, done that and got nowhere for the trouble!

Granted his attacking instincts outweigh his defensive attributes, like many Brazilian fullbacks.

Also worth noting Arsenal's formation, there's no traditional wide players in that team.

Santos actually did ok after a horror show 1st half at Celsea yesterday and was composure personified for his goal. But for me he does not look entirely match fit, which is a bit odd considering he's been at the club for a good couple of months.

He was bad first half defensively, but he is settling down and was much better second half. I think he's only going to grow, and having him as a left back means he can pop up randomly like he did yesterday

I like him at full back, sure hes dodgy but he adds another source of goals that we've never had!

Full backs never get the credit they deserve IMO and the attacking importance of their play is hugely underrated.