A Bit of Squad Analysis for the Gunners… Defence

For the third section of my four part series of a closer look at the current Arsenal squad, I arrive at the extremely contentious issue of the defence of the North London club: a topic which has brought about much heated debate amongst Arsenal fans for many years now, possibly since the clubs move to their new venue at the Emirates Stadium. As glorious as Arsenal can frequently be going forward, they can be equally liable and clumsy defensively, providing the Gunner’s faithful with a great deal of frustration as matches in their side’s grasp seem to slip out of their reach due another unnecessary defensive miss-hap.

To start with the full-backs, Arsenal have had a fine recent history of excellent attacking quality. The latest in a long line which has included such players as Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Lauren, and, although most now dislike him, Ashley Cole was and still is a left-back to the absolute highest quality, Frenchmen Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy have both had some fine recent seasons, and although Clichy has found himself hindered by injury this term, he has started to pick his form back up again in time for the vital end-of-season title run-in.

Both quick, Clichy especially so, very good going forward and very competent in defence, both have proved themselves two of the top players in their position in the league, possibly the continent. In both players’ cases, their crossing has been very inconsistent, but as Arsenal are not particularly a side who often delve into this side of the game, it may not be the most needed of qualities needed. Instead, those qualities it could be argued which are more important are athleticism and the general excellent technique required to play the kind of football which Arsenal are so proud to play, qualities both players possess.

Sagna has been excellent since signing from Auxerre in 2007

In the way of back up, Emmanuel Eboue has been a player who has both bemused and delighted the Emirates crowd, but his few performances of real class have been too few and far between for him to regarded as a consistently reliable alternative, although he does have top-class experience both at Arsenal and internationally, as well as a great deal of natural ability, making him an acceptable back-up. At left-back, Kieran Gibbs had shown much promise both this season and certainly towards the end of last, all the coaches who worked with Kieran commented on how well he recovered from his early left which let Ji-Sung Park in for the first Manchester United goal in the Champions League semi-final last year, showing that as well as the natural technical and physical qualities needed to make it at the top, he also has the mental strength to succeed.

As well as Gibbs, Arsenal have the less accomplished but still decent back-up in Armand Traore, another full-back with blinding pace, who may never be first choice, but will always give his all for the squad, certainly a very acceptable 3^rd choice in this position. Due to the fact that Eboue is often also played in midfield and occasionally even more forward, and his inconsistency, another natural right-back to act as Sagna’s understudy maybe wouldn’t go amiss.

The full backs haven’t been the issue for the Gunners, however; the topic which really frustrates the fans more frequently is that of the centre-backs and goalkeeper.

In the way of central defenders, Belgian Thomas Vermaelen and Frenchman William Gallas are widely considered to be Arsenal’s first choice pairing when the full compliment of players are available to Wenger. Gallas, the captain of the side before his infamous outburst at the press, is a player of international experience and experience of winning trophies with Chelsea and in France, and as well as being a defensively sound player, is also excellently composed on the ball. Vermaelen, a star of the season and an fantastic signing for Arsenal at only £10 million, a pittance these days, is tough and uncompromising in the tackle, dominant in the air despite not reaching 6ft, and is also a fine player on the ball himself, scoring many goals of real quality this season. He is also the Belgian captain, and is still young and so will only improve as a player.

Belgian skipper Vermaelen has added steel to the Arsenal line-up

For many years now though, this area seems to have been crying out for a defender who was tall and strong, able to cope with strikers such as Drogba, who have traditionally bullied Arsenal in the past. As has already been said, although Vermaelen may be a more aggressive defender who is very strong in the tackle, he doesn’t stand at 6ft, and so can get beaten in the air more easily than a world class defender maybe should. Gallas, out of contract in the summer, has been linked with a move away from the London club in the summer, as well as many of the back-up players, such as Sol Campbell, Mikael Silvestre and Philippe Senderous.

Senderous, also out of contract in the summer and currently on loan at Everton, is thought to have an extremely small chance of still plying his trade at the Emirates next season, and Sol Campbell was considered to be a ‘plug’ as it were, to fill the gap at centre-back due to injuries to many defenders, but because of his age, 36 next season, and his short contract, he has a similar chance of still being under contract at Arsenal come the new season. Doubts have also been cast over the future of Silvestre, who has endured some torrid times, the pinnacle of which being watching the brilliant argentine Lionel Messi’s shadow run rings round him.

It would seem that Wenger is desperate to keep Gallas, shown by Wenger’s willingness to break his own personal rule to offer the 32-year-old Frenchman a 2-year deal; Wenger usually will not offer any player aged 30 or over anything longer than one additional year. This would appear sensible, especially in the face of three other central defenders possibly leaving the club in the summer, as the player still has top-class ability, and senior experience earnt of many years playing at the top, something which is not frequent through the Arsenal squad.

Will Gallas still be at the Emirates next season?

Next year, young Swiss defender Johan Djourou will also return from his serious knee injury which has kept him out of the whole of this season. Djourou does fill the mould of tall (6ft3), strong, and quick, and showed maturity on the ball in recent games, making his injury all the more frustrating at a time where he seemed to be showing signs of developing into the kind of defender that Arsenal have been calling out for.

Therefore, it would appear that an acquisition in this area would be needed for Arsenal to challenge on a number of front as they have to ambition to, as without Silvestre, Senderous and Campbell the squad would consist of just three central defenders, Vermaelen, Gallas and Djourou, surely not the numbers required to win the league title, although Alexandre Song has proved himself a really excellent alternative in this position if none other are available. Another signing is needed, preferably a player of physical dominance, as well as the decent technical ability required to play at a club such as Arsenal.

Although attack is the best form of defence, a good defence is essential for Arsenal’s achievements to match their ambition, and to finally win a trophy that their fine football merits.