‘We have Jenkinson, we have Koscielny – who has been educated as a right-back – we have Djourou who can play right-back.’
Last week, when I read what Arsene Wenger said this, I initially dismissed most of the options as ridiculous, assuming that it was obvious that Jenkinson would cover long-term absentee Sagna whilst he recovers.
Now for me I am not actually keen on seeing Djourou ever again at centre-back, and after his cameo at full-back against Blackburn, I certainly never wish to see him there for nay period, but on reflection I am reconsidering Koscielny. I did some research and lo and behold and unsurprisingly, as Wenger was unlikely to be wrong, he did indeed spend his youth and early professional career at right-back.
Now I am not against Jenkinson, per say, but I am beginning to feel we might have a real opportunity in November to reorganise the back four into one of huge experience when our Vermaelen returns to the centre, as he undoubtedly will. I am sure that in August when we invested the money in Per Mertesacker, Wenger saw him playing alongside our inspirational Belgian, and let’s face it, does look a strong potential pairing. However, this would seem harsh in many ways on the ever determined, ever committed and undoubtedly talented Koscielny. I am a huge supporter of Kozza and always recall the positivity of Arsenal defensive legend Nigel Winterburn when speaking about him last March towards the end the season:
‘Obviously I always look at the defence because I played defensively and the one player that I think will turn out to be a big, big player for this football club is [Laurent] Koscielny.’
‘I love his mental strength. I remember a game early in the season when he had a clash of heads and he went down and I was thinking, ‘Oh, a foreign player, I would love to see what happens here.’
‘But he was straight back up and the next tackle, he went into a 50/50 and that for me shows great mental strength. He still makes one or two errors but I don’t like judging a player over six months or a year, I like to judge a player over a couple of seasons.’
I totally agree with Winterburn and am wondering whether the return of Vermaelen and the unfortunate leg break for Sagna gives Wenger the opportunity to incorporate all three of our top central defenders in the same back four by deploying Kozza at right-back. Given that we will certainly be running with Santos at left-back, this to me looks a very solid and experienced defensive unit to potentially line up against Stoke at home and Chelsea away, if Vermaelen is on schedule.
Bottom line is that if you are a good defender as Koscielny is 90% of the time, he will be able to pick up the right-back duties easily. He may not give us a rampaging energetic overlap that Jenko does, but the youngster is worryingly out of position too often straight after this surges and now potentially another in the sickbay. I recall Redknapp for West Ham and Keegan for England deploying Rio Ferdinand at right-back early in his career and similarly Sol Campbell played there frequently early on. In both these high profile cases this improved their abilities later on in their illustrious careers.
So in conclusion, I would not wish to see Kozza dropped, particularly after his superb display last night in Marseilles, but I am as desperate as the next Gooner to see the ‘Verminator’ back to forge a partnership with Mertesacker, and think this re-jigged back four with Koscielny and Santos has an excellent blend of strength, balance and experience for a tough November and December schedule.
I would be interested to hear the views of the Gunnersphere readers.
youre so right!!!!
He’s a good defender and Arsenal will be there in the top 4 by the end of the season…Gooner4ever!!!
It’ll be all the sweeter because so many so-called experts said we couldn’t finish in the top four. Home form’s been good but Stoke will be tough, they’ve had some great results already. Then it’s off to the Bridge which’ll be difficult but only Man City will remain of the big 5 until Christmas. Gotta build up some momentum for the relatively east fixtures and wrap up CL qualification early.
In theory, yes. But considering how our players devolve into being made of tissue and our medical staff seem understudies to the local butchers, I’d be hesitant to throw all those players in. It’s one injury away from djourou playing and 2 from squillaci.
Because the Xmas schedule is so busy, I’d prefer seeing kozza bench and rotated to rest tv5, seen as he seems most injury prone.
Thinking of bright prospects that could do with more game time, what about Coquelin? He’s disciplined enough, solid tackler and a good passer too.
Psychotic….your comments about the medical staff are unjust and ignorant at best. Go to AFC’s website and take a look at their new medical facilities and the people running them. Then come back and apologize for excreting unsubstantiateded and ill-founded rumours you read on LeGrove.
Coquelin can fit in in the back 4 but I know he’s not played at fullback very often,maybe Frimpong, who is a tough character, might fit better?
Firstly Kozzer was amazing last night. he is really developing into a great defender and it would be a shame to see him benched when TV5 is back. If TV5 is ready to play at stoke I would play kozzer at right back. I would even play him at right back & djourou in the middle. djourou just doesn’t look comfortable at right back.
How about Iggy, has he played at right back before? he looks a better prospect then Jenkinson & I don’t think its right to just drop Jenkinson in the deep end like that.
I agree that if anything Per would need to be dropped rather than either Kos or TV5 but Per’s been solid and excellent in the air so why not put Kos at RB. There’s also the option of a TV, Per, Kos & Sagna back line when everyone’s fit (TV at LB) which would be very solid if not very creative. Santos isn’t there yet but given a few more games he could prove that he has a right to be first choice. One interesting thing is the contrast in styles between Kos and Per. It’s important not to mix up your defensive partners too often but if you ignore that the two could provide two very different alternatives for different opposition. Just look at whether your opposition score more from balls in the air or on the deck and choose accordingly. One final point Vermaelen always makes such a difference, when he plays the defense looks much more composed.
I dont believe we should put all our eggs in 1 basket by putting Kozza in right back position, dont let us forget any injury to any of Vermaleen or Per the only dependable person to come in is Kozza, so i will prefer Jeckinson, Conquellin and Djourou to be the right back b4 Sagna comes bak
Wenger said Coq is not comfortable in RB.
Kos should be our ‘replacement killer’ if any of TV5,per get injured.
Ignasi Miguel would do a better job at RB than Jenk.
I completely agree,but strongly feel that adding Vertonghen to this team will make it complete.
LB Santos/vertonghen/TV/Gibbs
RB Sangna/Kos/Jenkinson/Coquelin
C(L)B TV/Vertonghen/Koz/Miguel
C(R)B Mers/TV/Koz/Squillachi
To further strongthen the defence only one more thing to do.Sell Djourou.Otherwise our Wenger will try again and again to proove himself right(grooming!!!!)
You are very right. Koz is a very strong and intelligent player though he makes mistakes with some of his tackles. Let Wenger play him as right back and we will have an impregnable befence line.
Wuld luv wenger 2 add verthoghen so against teams lyk m.c,m.u,chelsea nd d lyks of physical teams he wuld play him in DM wit song nd d bck line wuld b…kozza,per,vamelen,santos.bt if sagna is fit den kozza move bside per nd vamelen move 2 LB.