Without wishing to get back on Arsene Wenger’s case, it’s hard to defend him with regards to the defensive situation.
I personally spoke to at least a dozen Arsenal fans at the beginning of September who were up in arms about the fact that Thomas Vermaelen had departed but an experienced centre back hadn’t come in to take his place.
Calum Chambers has been a superb addition and could become one of the stars of the team. But a further signing – one who has been around the block a few more times – was surely needed in the summer.
And now, just a couple of months into the season, the worst case scenario has come to pass. Debuchy and Koscielny are crocked and Chambers is suspended with no senior cover available.
As you will know Arsene Wenger has spoken of his need for winter reinforcements:
“I agree we could have bought one more player,” Wenger said. “We didn’t find [him]. We will try in December to rectify that because we are a bit short with the injuries we have and, overall, I think we will rectify that on the transfer market in January.”
Hindsight is of course 20/20 and the most important thing now is to make sure that the situation doesn’t ruin the whole season. A winter signing is a must. And The Daily Mail reckons that man could be Virgil van Dijk of Celtic:
Arsenal plot £7million bid for Virgil van Dijk in January as Arsene Wenger looks for defensive cover
Arsenal failed in deadline day swoop for Virgil van Dijk in the summer
In the short term Arsenal may well have to promote youngsters into the first team as they look threadbare at the back. Arsenal fans may count their blessings that they are at home this weekend against Hull. It’s a winnable game but also a potential banana skin against a side who certainly won’t lie down.
