Wenger is looking at buying a new centre back!
Arsene Wenger has announced ahead of the Gunner’s second pre-season match, that Arsenal will line up with the young English centre back pairing of Chambers and Holding, but that the club will be dipping into the market for a new centre back in the coming weeks.
After Per Mertesacker was ruled out with a knee injury that will apparently keep him off the pitch for 5 months, it added to concern that Arsenal are severely lacking in centre backs ahead of the start of the season opener against Liverpool. With Mertesacker’s injury, we currently have just two first team centre backs available in Chambers and Holding, as Gabriel remains out with tonsilitis and Koscielny is yet to return to training from his extended holiday period.
It led many to question whether Wenger would consequently dip into the market to find a strong experienced centre back to replace Mertesacker. Even though I thought we should’ve been looking in the market for a top quality defender anyway, it now seems Wenger’s got his act together and will be looking at targets in the coming weeks.
Speaking during Arsenal’s tour of the USA, Wenger said: “We have to look for an option to get a bit more experience. We will see some of our young centre backs on Thursday [against MLS All-Stars]. With Per being out, we are a bit short on the experience front and we are looking to bring somebody in.”
Arsenal have been linked with Kastos Manolas in recent days, whilst Koulibaly also remains a consistent target for the Gunners. I think it’s very important that Arsenal look towards signing a new centre back this summer, as well as the obvious striker situation that still looms over us. Even though Mertesacker would’ve played a ‘lesser’ role at the club this year, due to physical fitness and ability in age, his place in the squad is still a valuable position and with the BFG out for so long, Arsenal must look to replace him with cover.
By AH