Although Arsenal can now call upon the considerable talents of Calum Chambers at the back, the need for extra experience in the squad is obvious – especially in the light of the Thomas Vermaelen departure.
We spoke yesterday about how Arsenal have been linked with Benedikt Howedes and we think that he would be a masterful signing. But we do get the sense that the Arsenal manager is happy with his first choice central defensive pairing and is looking for backup for the duo rather than a first eleven player.
Accordingly reports today suggest that the club is in talks over just such a signing. The Metro reports:
Arsenal have opened talks with Olympiakos over an £8million deal to sign their defender Kostas Manolas, according to reports.
The Gunners were strongly linked with a move for highly-rated Manolas this week, with Arsene Wenger looking for a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen.
The 23 year old has risen through the ranks at Olympiakos since joining the club 2 years ago. He’s now a prominent member of the first team and has also turned out thirteen times for the Greece national team.
Manolas represents a work in progress, but a player of great promise. He’s quick, mobile and has lovely technique.
Let’s take a look. Arsenal fans: would you rather go for a player who will improve the first eleven or stick with Mertesacker and Koscielny?
Ian Hawthorne
Aug 13, 2014 at 8:48 pm
I wouldn’t break up the Mertesacker & Koscielny partnership. They compliment each other perfectly. Chambers is good cover if one gets injured and Manolas would also be a good buy. The main area of the team where we do need strengthening is defensive midfield and that is the area that we should sign quality. Someone who will be an automatic starter, like Carvalho or Bender
JGooner
Aug 13, 2014 at 10:44 pm
Why would breaking up the BFG/Kos partnership even be a question that one would consider? Gibberish non-sense. AFC have hardly lost a game when the 2 start and finish a game together. Their partnership is arguably the best 3 in all of Europe. When our back up (w/ all due respect and much love) the Verminator who has rarely played in the last yr and a half can go to what most people consider the best squad in the world, b/c he can’t break up the partnership, what makes you think that ANY CB would make our 1st 11 over either player based on anything other than an injury. Ridiculous question. Every Gooner would love more cover and depth, but no player is coming in and taking either of our 1st choice CB’s spot until their form starts to drop drastically!!
leon
Aug 13, 2014 at 11:21 pm
i think we need another defender a defensive mid and a out and out world class striker, defensive mid not to botherd about as we had best defensive record last season untill injurys just nice to have incase same happens again
Panther
Aug 14, 2014 at 2:10 am
This is getting ridiculous now! As it stands Mertesacker is not available, Kocielny apparently picked up an injury and Wenger sold Vermaelen. So for Saturday Arsenal have no senior recognised central defenders, to play against Crystal Palace. Does anyone else get pissed off with Arsene Wenger’s idiotic and kak handed way of building a balanced squad? For the last 3 or 4 seasons, Arsenal have started the season without his first choice players,which has led to Arsenal dropping silly points. I want Wenger out because of this, he makes things harder than they need to be, with his stupidity and stubburness. BY A FUCKING CENTRE BACK AND A CENTRAL DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER!!!!