George Graham has urged Arsene Wenger to buy better centre-backs during the summer transfer window, according to The Sun.
The former Gunners boss, whose team were renowned for their marginal 1-0 victories during the years of 1986 and 1995, believes that the current crop of Arsenal defenders do not do their well enough.
Wenger has had to rely on Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci for the majority of the season whilst Thomas Vermaelen was recovering from an Achilles injury he picked up back in August. However, Graham thinks they still lack solidarity at the back. The Scotsman told The Sun:
‘Arsenal need defensive-minded centre-halves. The full-backs like going forward. When the opposition get the ball Arsenal are vulnerable. The centre-backs they have look like midfielders.’
Graham then mentioned the well documented trophy drought, and believes that if he had gone six years without a trophy at the North London club then he would have been shown the door:
‘I’m not going to apologise for the way I played. My aim was to get trophies. Chairman Peter Hill-Wood always said before the AGM ‘just put a trophy on the table and nobody will have anything to say’. I probably wouldn’t be in the job if I went six years without a trophy.’
The Scotsman then appeared to call out Wenger, insisting that the Frenchman give an explanation as to why he has failed to deliver a trophy in six years:
‘I just think he has gone off the boil a bit. I would love him to explain why he hasn’t had the success recent and why the team haven’t got the edge to win a trophy.’
Do you agree with George Graham’s statements? Do Arsenal need to acquire better centre-backs this summer? Are the Gunners really that vulnerable when they defend? Or is Graham a little harsh on his former club?
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How sour are those grapes George?
I think we do need a centre back for next season. I would be happy with either Mertasacker, Cahill or Samba. I think once we get one of these players, plus other players for other areas of the pitch, then we’ll be fine for next season.
rubbish
Lucio would be perfect but very unlikely. Arsenal do absolutely need a genuine defender. One ball-playing defender is fine, two is a luxury but three is just crazy. Vermaelen, Djourou and Koscielny are not the best defenders but Arsene refuses to sign a player who lacks technical ability. Vidic, Hangelaand and Terry are hardly known for their passing or ball control but they’re better defenders. People used to call Tony Adams a donkey but he’s probably the best defender that we ever had.
We don,t need anymore centrebacks rather wingbacks
who can put over crosses time after time,during a
match for Chamakh or Bendtner to header into the
back of the opposition net ?
Amen to that samuel, plus with Bartley and Miquel I don’t think that under £15m we can find better. For that money I would rather they freeze ticket prices!
well said che and samuel,if we need to buy it a striker that will stay fit for a whole season like henry and wright use to be and score 30plus goals.
plus one more thing am i the only one who wishes that rvp did’t take corners,and get into the box and try and win the ball, and stop taking all the free kicks, i mean has he actually scored a free kick? i can’t remenber.
also is it me or do arsenal play better with out cesc then with him?