View From The Sphere

Does Wenger really need to sign a quality centre-back considering Koscielny & Djourou’s performances?

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Much has been written about Arsenal’s defence this season and the desperate need for a quality centre-back to be acquired during the summer. However, due to the performances of Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou’s performances last season, do we just need an adequate cover option for when either of these two pick up an injury, or do we need to go all out and sign a big name centre-back?

Koscielny has impressed a lot of people in his first season at Arsenal, which rightly earned him a call up to the France squad…so he must be doing something right, especially considering the fact that just three years ago he was playing for Tours in Division 3. I still think the best is yet to come from the 25-year-old. With time and a bit more developing, Koscielny could potentially be a great player for Arsenal and France.

Djourou has equally been impressive this season, and done a good job filling the gap left by Thomas Vermaelen. It is also worth noting that up until Djourou was injured we hadn’t lost a Premier League game when he played. He certainly has developed over the years, and at only 24 years of age, the Switzerland international can only get better with time.

I truly believe that both have earned their places within the Arsenal squad, and should be credited for their efforts. However, I do think we require a centre-back until both players are ready to take the position on a full-time basis. It is also worth considering that we have struggled with injuries in this department this season, so bringing in a player would be a sensible decision on Wenger’s part.

I would like to see Arsenal with the depth to not have to worry about injuries, and if that means making a tough decision and losing a few players, who haven’t performed, then so be it. But we shouldn’t get rid of the players whose performances this season have been superb.

The signing of either Chris Samba or Gary Cahill would be superb this summer, purely for the fact that Arsenal need a big name signing to organise the defence, as I don’t feel either Koscielny or Djourou have that capability yet.

If I had to drop either Koscielny or Djourou from the line-up, then it would have to be the Frenchman – his mistake cost us the Carling Cup final, and evidently, downhearted our team morale.

I, along with every Arsenal fan, want the Gunners to end their trophyless run next season, and I also want to see a lot more of this in our next campaign:

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41 comments

  • ibezimako josemaria says:

    well kos & johan did pretty well ..if only the verminator was fit .. i dont think we gonner buy any centre back this season ..lets be sincere if we buy a new centre back where will he fit in ? we should buy just for the sake of it .. what we need r wingers in the charles nzogbia mould

  • Michael says:

    I think a much overlooked angle on this point is competition for places. As a professional player if there is no competition for your place, you will retain it whether you play well or not. At far too many points this season we had 2 fit center backs. This is unacceptable. Whilst I do think JD and LK are going to be brilliant defenders they need to be pushed there by other fit, quality center backs jostling for places. (NOT Sebastien Squillaci). With a bit of competition for places (as well as a new defensive coach) I believe our defence will get their act together.
    Another example of where this lack of competition can be seen is in Fabregas’ recent performances. Knowing his place is secure as AW’s golden boy he will start regardless of form or fitness. He cannot be immune, he must be dropped when not playing well, but I digress.

  • Ted Granger says:

    I think Arsenal should look closer at the treatment policies at the club, there is clearly some issues there that need looking at for many reasons we encounter almost every season.

    Players get injured and that deprives the team of quality in some positions where previously Arsenal have had no solid replacement on a like for like basis, we need to buy so we also have at least a replacement in every position that is not just a compromise. Also try Theo as a full on striker, i think we could potentially ahve a Henry there in time, he will obviouslt have to finely tune his ball skills in and around the box but that will come with age.

  • Roy Warncke says:

    I agree tootight, I mean today if a country has the money and the desire they are going to get a nuclear weapon. Iran IS going to get a nuclear weapon if they desire, it is a matter of what they want to do.

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