In part due to inadequate defensive depth, Arenal’s 2014/15 Premier League title bid is already over.
Indeed, whilst 5 foot 10 full-back Nacho Monreal continues to deputise for the injured Laurent Koscielny at centre-half, the Gunners have thrown away nine points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, not to mention their three-goal capitulation against Anderlecht in the Champions League.
So instead of being within a win’s distance of Chelsea, Arsenal are now twelve points behind the undefeated league leaders.
Something simply doesn’t add up; Arsenal’s defensive frailties were tested enough times last term, yet the north Londoners entered the current campaign with one less defender, as Thomas Vermaelen, Carl Jenkinson and Bacary Sagna were replaced by only Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy.
Quiz Wenger on the issue and the same excuses emerge; ‘we already have the players capable’ or ‘there simply aren’t any available defenders out there’.
So to prove the Emirates boss could have easily addressed his squad’s defensive weaknesses this summer without breaking the bank, here’s FIVE signings he could have made for £10million or less – in fact, some involve no transfer fee at all.
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TOBY ALDERWEIRELD (loan)
Having fallen by the wayside at Vincente Calderon last season as Atletico Madrid launched a surprise coup for the La Liga title whilst simultaneously reaching the Champions League final, Southampton snapped up disillusioned defender Toby Alderweireld this summer on a one-year loan.
The Belgium international, who comes with a preceding reputation from his six seasons at Ajax, winning three consecutive Eredivisie titles under Frank de Boer, has already put in a number of strong displays for the Saints, who currently boast the best defensive record in the Premier League.
That’s certainly not all down to the 6 foot 2 centre-back, but his form has been consistent as regular partner to Jose Fonte:
It makes you wonder what Arsenal were up to while the Alderweireld deal was going on, having been strongly linked to the 25 year-old before he moved to Spain in summer 2013 and again in January this year after admitting his desire to leave the Mattress Makers.
Famed for his versatility, being capable of playing anywhere across the back four, the now-Southampton star would have been the perfect signing to cover for injured French duo Mathieu Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny. Here’s a clip of Alderweireld in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/RFL2-xH2cis?rel=0
FABIAN SCHAR
Statistically speaking, FC Basel prodigy Fabian Schar was the best defender in the Champions League last season:
He comes with an impressive and intoxicating front-footed presence too, a style reminiscent of Jan Vertonghen’s that would have suited the Gunners perfectly. Here’s a clip of Schar in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/ZpiVFCUXbz0?rel=0
And a wonder-goal from his FC Wil days, because, why not?
//www.youtube.com/embed/Dr8-L3tWaOU?rel=0
It appears Arsenal could be lining up a January bid for the £10million-rated centre-back:
But they could have signed him for precisely that sum during the summer and due to the Gunners’ lack of defensive depth this season, their title bid is already over.
ALEX SONG (loan)
Clearly Arsene Wenger had no interest in re-signing former Gunner Alex Song this summer on a season-long loan, instead surrendering that privilege to West Ham, but it’s difficult to understand why.
Not only is the Cameroon international well acquainted with Arsenal’s unique style of play – bagging twelve assists in his final season at the Emirates and coming second in the Player of the Year award to top-scorer Robin van Persie – but he would have added vital variety to the north London outfit’s midfield, in addition to extra cover at centre-half. Here’s a look at Song in action for the Gunners:
//www.youtube.com/embed/Dgw0H1KA-XI?rel=0
The holding midfield role has been a real problem for Arsenal this season, with Mikel Arteta clearly on the decline and Mathieu Flamini hopelessly out of form, but the 6 foot 2 Song would have been perfect for it – at least until next summer.
Furthermore, the 27 year-old’s availability had been well documented for some time, having made just 39 league appearances – the majority as a substitute – during his two full seasons with parent club Barcelona.
Instead, he’s spending the season with the Hammers, adding vital physicality and quality to their midfield as the East London sit two places above Arsenal in fourth. Here’s a look at his stats this term compared to the Gunners’ other central midfield options:
JOLEON LESCOTT
Now 32 years of age and having made 227 appearances in the Premier League, at this point, we all know the strengths and weaknesses of Joleon Lescott.
The occasional England international can be clumsy, especially in possession, and often looked a bit out of his depth when representing the Three Lions, or Manchester City in Europe.
But the now-West Bromwich Albion man has forged a Premier League-winning centre-back partnership with Vincent Kompany before and is famed for his consistency when it comes to the nuts and bolts of the defensive trade; tackles, interceptions, headers and positioning.
Furthermore, former club Manchester City let him leave the Etihad on a free transfer last summer, which the Baggies wasted no time in taking advantage of.
Experienced, proven and impeccably reliable, Lescott would have been perfect back-up to Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielney, even if for the duration of the current season alone. Here’s how Lescott’s form has compared to Arsenal’s centre-backs this term:
Rather tellingly, West Brom have kept three clean sheets out of a possible seven with the Premier League veteran in the side this season, compared to just one without him.
And for those of you keen on nostalgia, here’s the highlights from Lescott’s legendary 2007/08 campaign at Everton, where netted ten times across all competitions:
//www.youtube.com/embed/xm49e-plhow?rel=0
Stefan de Vrij
Following an impressive World Cup campaign with the Netherlands, where he was statistically the best defender at the tournament:
..Lazio wasted no time this summer in striking up a £7million deal for former Feyenoord defender Stefan de Vrij.
And the 22 year-old is already proving to be quite the revelation in Serie A as Le Aquile lay sixth in the Italian table, averaging an impressive 3.5 interceptions per match:
Young, versatile and clearly talented, the Dutch international would have slotted in to the natural hierarchy of Arsenal’s squad, providing competition for Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny and extra cover at right-back.
De Vrij is already proving to be one of the best deals of summer 2014, but once again, Arsenal were nowhere to be seen as the 6 foot 3 centre-back swapped the Eredivisie for Italy. Here’s a look at de Vrij in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/hU9JNUVik1Q?rel=0
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