If reports are anything to go by then 17-year-old Swiss defender Martin Angha may be given a shock first-team call to face Everton tomorrow afternoon.
Due to the lack of options available to Arsene Wenger on the left and right of his back-line, the Frenchman may be forced to throw the Swiss youth international into the line-up tomorrow and could also play against league leaders Manchester City 10 days later.
Andre Santos is out for about three weeks after picking up an ankle injury against Olympiacos on Tuesday night, while Kieran Gibbs is still a fortnight away from returning from last month’s hernia operation.
Thomas Vermaelen will probably have to fill in at left-back for the time being, which means Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny will pair up in the middle of the back four.
So our defence against Everton, and possible Manchester City, will look like this:
Angha Mertesacker Koscielny Vermaelen
Now while I’m all for given our youngsters a shot in the first-team, I don’t think this is the right time for Angha be given his Premier League debut.
Now unless I’m not mistaken Johan Djourou is fit, and whilst I think his defending is a bit shoddy at times, I for one would rather have a more experienced head placed in our back-line than a teenager who is unproven.
Francis Coquelin is another option for Wenger to consider, as the young Frenchman is used to palying in the full-back position. Arsene could even stick with the usual suspects (Kos, Verm and Per) and just put Ignasi Miquel at left-back if he really wanted to.
To be honest, I haven’t seen Angha in action. In fact, I never even knew of the youngster (bad I know). He may be a talented teenager, but I don’t think Wenger should gamble on him, not in such important games and especially not against City.
In my opinion, Wenger should play it safe and stick either Djourou or Coquelin at right-back, or use Miquel at left-back and leave Koscielny at right-back, with Verm and Per in the centre, until our regular players return – we simply can’t force and rely on a 17-year-old to hold down the fort.
What do you guys think?
Should Angha be given the responsibility or should Wenger play it safe and use more experienced heads in our back-line?
Give us your thoughts on the matter
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