Arsenal’s defensive record has not been the best so far this season, with the Gunners failing to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League since their 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough. There are a number of reasons which could explain the poor defensive show, many of which have already been discussed, but one change I think Arsene Wenger has to make is at left back.
Arsenal have been linked with Valencia left back Gaya today, a player that Wenger has reportedly scouted in the past. It wouldn’t be the strangest of moves for the Gunners in this transfer window, especially with one of our left backs not being entirely up to the task at the moment.
Nacho Monreal was perhaps one of Arsenal’s and the leagues most consistent defenders last season. The Spanish international pulled his weight against every single opponent he faced in defence and also proved his worth in attack. His ability to get up and down the pitch consistently for 90 minutes was astonishing, whilst not allowing for his defensive capabilities and positioning to falter. His fantastic displays left such an impression that he was recalled to the Spanish national team and things looked like they were only going to get better for Monreal.
This season however he’s looked more out of place and hasn’t been able to calm the calamity that’s currently going on in the Gunners defence. Monreal has looked off the ball, as have a lot of players in this winter period. Given the situation, I now think that Gibbs deserves a chance in defence, with the Englishman remaining loyal and fighting for his place in the side, even when he goes weeks without being picked.
After Arsenal lost Clichy to Manchester City, Arsene Wenger installed Gibbs as the Gunners regular left back. Although he sure wasn’t the first choice of many, he became a regular and reliable figure in the team until his displacement by Monreal in 2013. He is very experienced in the Arsenal set up and has been a very valuable backup player for the Gunners these past few years.
Even if many still wish to argue that Monreal is the better left back, it’s a fair point to make. However given the run of poor form he’s in, I think Gibbs should be given a chance to show us what he’s got, in the true spirit of competition for places.
Do you agree? Do we need to look at other left-backs in the coming window?
By AH
I say we look at other managers….coz with Wenger,nothing changes even if you buy him Marcelo….
Season “challenge” is over for this year.
They can play daffy duck for all I care…
monreal gets ripped by anyone with pace and strength barow included
Get Ricardo Rodriguez in the summer and sell one player (Get both Rodriguez lol – James for attack and Ricardo for def)
Or get a player who can play both CB and FB. Howedes can play all 4 defensive positions (RB, CBr, CBl, LB). We also need RB back up.
Our defense has let us down so far this season (this has surprised me) but more down to our back ups rather than starters. Jenkinson, Gabriel and Eleney have not been very impressive. Also, debuchy and Mert have been injured.
I would try Holding until Mustafi comes back.
I would bring Holding back with Koscielny as well.
Since we’re on the LB issue, any truth to these Jose Gaya rumors?
Anyway I do feel come seasons end 1 of Monreal or Gibbs would have to make way for an upgrade.
Overall I think Wenger has been very poor rotating the squad. Apart from Sanchez and Kocielny, any player who has one or two mediocre games should be looking over their shoulder. Monreal isn’t the only one in that category – Cech, Mustafi, Ozil and Walcott all seem to have little pressure to perform right now. I’m not looking for wholesale changes, giving Lucas a PL start after his hat trick would have sent a positive message to the whole squad. No more passengers.
Yes replace monreal with Gibbs or play a more defensive player than Iwobi on the left. Monreal looks nervous whenever someone runs at him. Especially near the box.
Monreal won his place because he stayed fit and he was reliable. Gibbs has always been the better footballer. He offers more going forward, has more pace, and defnds better as well, but he couldn’t stay fit. Oddly enough, with Monreal’s emergence, Gibbs has enjoyed his longest stretch of fitness in years.
If the opportunity comes up to buy a top left back, Arsenal shoul;d consider it, but that is more likely to be in the summer than in the January window. Gibbs deserves his shot but Monreal hasn’t done much wrong. Part of the issue is, now that Sanchez is playing centrally, Monreal doesn’t get much help defending from either the Ox or Iwobi, neither of whom tracks back well.
Against big, fast right wingers like Mikkail Antonio or Barrow, Monreal struggles, so Gibbs should play in those games. Against flair players, monreal may be a little steadier and do a better job of keeping his man in front of him. Against Sterling and Sane, Monreal kept retreating, getting pushed back into the box becauae her feared getting beat for pace. Gibbs is better in those one-on-one situaitons agaisnt pacey attackers.