Poll: Which defensive target should Arsenal pursue this month?

Arsenal are currently being linked with a number of players, but our defence is one area where we are most in need of strengthening in my opinion.

Other journalists either seem to believe that a central defender is key to our campaign, or are hearing that our club is predominantly looking to bring in one, as there are plenty of links at present to get the mind thinking.

Chelsea’s David Luiz has been a big talking point, having fallen down the pecking order since a fall-out with coach Antonio Conte, and with his replacement Andrea Christensen thoroughly impressing in his place, you can have little argument about his exclusion. We are said to be eyeing a deal to bring him across London to team him with former team-mate Petr Cech, but unless we are looking to revert back to a back five once again, I would rather look elsewhere.

Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk is another who could potentially be on the move in the coming window, with him having actively pursued an exit last summer, and appears to be struggling to motivate himself having been forced to stay with the Saints. Liverpool and Man City are said to be favourites to land him, but we are known to hold an interest also. A move could well reignite his form, but I’m not 100% sure his attitude would be welcomed at the Emirates.

The latest rumour to emerge is our supposed interest in Burnley centre-half James Tarkowski. The Clarets have been the surprise package this term, with the 25 year-old hitting the ground running since coming in to replace Michael Keane. He has helped his side to remain well organised and solid at the back, and he could be a huge signing if we could land him.

We are also linked with moves to sign Napoli duo Nikola Maksimovic and Koulibaly or Roma’s Kostas Manolas but who would you be most keen on seeing arrive in the coming month?

 

Tags Arsenal Luiz Tarkowski van dijk

23 Comments

  1. Splashing big sums on defenders is a waste, as long as we play with Wenger’s lack of organization.
    I hope we save the money for a future without Wenger.

    1. One could argue that we need to sign a def astute CB to lead and organise the defense as Wengers training doesn’t appear to do so.

      Sol Campbell organised the def well for us when we pinched him, Adams did for Wenger when Wenger 1st came…

      I’m not saying Wenger can train great CBs, he has been able to develop pretty well rounded CBs but he has never made a Campbell or Adams, he has however made a Kos and he is a top CB… just not a leader. Kolo was a top CB, not a leader.

      Top players but not exactly greats…

      If Arsenal did buy a VVD then he would offer that leadership and organisation at the back while being young enough for the next manager to have a CB in his prime playing for AFC.

  2. I think spending big and failing would get the manager sacked more likely than saving money and failing.

    Probably the reason why Wenger is still here.

    1. Can we add in a GK coach to this as well 😛
      Since Bob Wilson left us we have failed our 1st team GKs in training, at least I feel so.

    2. Daft idea. Just sack Wenger and do the job properly. Otherwise it is like making a person drink poison but saying to the poison “you are not allowed to kill the person.” You and I (and tens of thousands of others) know Wenger needs sacking. Why mess abouit with less and half baked ideas. You want success, then you sack Wenger. You can’t have Wenger AND success, as we all know.

      1. I do believe this is Wengers last contract, Gazidis is finally making good on that change promise and this is roles where Wenger kinda looked after because the board was a shambles after Dein.

        I have said for ages that I want the Arsenal board to show ambition by replacing aspects of what Wenger did with a specialist who can take it to the next level, to get in people who can support a manager.

        While enjoying the fun of the suggestion to get a def coach, I do actually hope AFC will hire the best coaches they can find for all the areas, so we can build stability when transitioning between managers.

        If we can get some of the better coaches in then we can look at a manager that is more of a tactical genius instead of a great coach.

        For how much Wenger has done for Arsenal, I am happy to put up with the frustration and unless we fall drastically, let him have one final push with the support he should have had.

        Barca guy and new head coach could mean Wenger gets the targets he wants, we do show interest in some top players and if the board have got people in to make transfers happen… Maybe not this window as it is close to the changes but next season…

        As I am seeing change I am more relaxed about the manager situation, I am happy to see the new DoO and Scouting guy settle in over 12 months and to learn the club before worrying about the new manager, let them deal with that once settled into their new roles.

  3. It doesn’t matter what player we get, we are going no where under Wenger.

    “You either be a hero or u live long enough to become d villain”

    Two-face must’ve created this quote for Wenger not Batman.
    Wenger is a disease that’s been killing us.
    But just cus we take drugs and the disease stop showing signs for a while we all forget how sick we are with him in the club..

    We can only hope the club gets rid of him soon.

    And TBH.

    I don’t want Simeone or any other coach.
    Let’s give one of our ex players who are interested in the job a chance.
    Those old and experienced manager will probably come down here and do the same thing they’ve been doing and will have little hunger to go the extra mile.
    But a fresh one will want to see he makes his mark in the sands of time, bring in new and fresh ideas and make sure he achieves.
    Pep is the best example after he was given the chance by Barca.

  4. SELL Mertsacker, Gabriel, Xhaka, Wilshere, Walcott, Alexis, Ozil

    SIGN Verane, Hummels, Kante, Pogba, Coutinho, Salah and Kane

    SIMPLES innit

  5. Koulibaly for CD, partner him with Chambers and that could be the CB partnership which leads us forward for the next 5 years…

    Buy a top DM, for me, Carvalho could be that guy. Tall, strong, quick, def talented and neat passer.

    Sell Alexis and buy Mahrez.

    Then we would have a new player in def, mid and attack. Should be good boost for the players we want to keep.

    1. Doesn’t matter who you buy or sell if Wenger remains in charge. That is pretty much the reason I gave up following transfer rumours. At the end of the day we are simply rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

  6. Mustafi is good. Lets give holding and chambers a chance and keep mustafi and kos as no.3 and 4. What we got to loose

  7. You must spend to get real Quality Players I know there is the exception but if you look at
    Man City , Chelsea and Man Utd they target players and pay what it takes to get these players.
    Every transfer Window Arsenal are linked with Quality Players but we never get them because Wenger and the Board will not pay. Draxler is a perfect example Paris Saint-Germain are demanding £40 million for Arsenal target Julian Draxler Wenger is only willing to give £30M so Arsenal will not get him yet Arsenal has been Linked with Draxler for the past 4 Seasons. If they really want him Pay the £40M. Don’t start naming Players and getting the Fans hopes up when they have no intention of buying the player from the start.

  8. Koscielny and Mustafi are quality.
    Not sure aboot Chambers and Holding
    Speaking of Holding, we need a holding midfielder too, innit

  9. Waste of time buying any decent player while Wenger stays. Most important matter by far is to sack Wenger straightaway and only when we have a new and proper manager let him spend money on players . Presumably the new manager will buy the right players, play them in their right positions, get rid of the huge deadwood in the squad and start coaching players. What a novelty having a manager who can and wiil coach will be to us all.

  10. Same old scenario, Wenger’s makes a 40 million Euro bid for Juventus defender Benatia knowing Juve will turn it down. No chance of getting the player just another false bid to keep the fans happy. Will someone tell Wenger he’s been doing this scam for the ten years and we’ve all heard it before.

  11. at the prices defenders are going we should buy young 75 mil that’s just insane. i would go for rugani from the rumours in the media as italians know how to defend its imbedded in them especially if you play for one of their big teams. i also like the ajax kid de ligt not because he coud have an awesome chant with he’s de ligt , he’s de ligt to quit! hey hey! but he looks very promising solid at the back good with the ball.

  12. So Van Dijk is off the card at least!!! In truth I am for one glad we didn’t get into bidding as 75 million seems rather steep?

    But still I am hurting as Pools spending this amount of money and my beloved Gooners is not moving or showing any b…. to be decisive in the market?

    Regardless of who is our coach we need immediate strengthening at the back! I don’t trust any of our defenders right now…

    New defender with any of Chambers, Kos, Mustafi or Holding would do my confidence a lot of good?

    But we need to get the right guy in….please?

  13. Wenger is useless. He said Kolasinac can’t play in a back 4 yet he thrived at Schalke. Bellerin, Sanchez & Xhaka have been awful but they still play. Had Ramsey still OK, Wilshire was not going to play yet currently he is our main player..Does he even analyze matches?.I give up!

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