I wrote an article the other day with the suggestion that the transfer of Petr Cech to Arsenal will bring us a lot more than just ability and experience to our last line of defence. My theory was that Cech’s experience of winning the Premier League title with Chelsea, especially that first time after a wait of around half a century, could be of great value to the Arsenal dressing room.
His transfer could have another effect as well, in that it could make our need for another centre back unnecessary. I know that our defenders have taken some stick in recent years but over the last couple of seasons our stats have been right up there, especially when there have been no injury problems weakening the back four.
Remember the reports showing that Arsenal had not lost a game for ages when Koscielny and Mertesacker started and finished together? And that was with an error prone keeper behind them. And now we are stronger in both full back positions as well and we have Gabriel and Calum Chambers to step into central defence when needed. Chambers’ age and Gabriel’s lack of BPL experience may have been a concern before but with the calming presence of Cech behind them, do Arsenal really need another defender this summer?
And if not, could Wenger make better use of his transfer kitty in other areas of the pitch?