Arsenal need another top centre-back: Here’s why, and two options to consider by Darren
Some may say that Arsenal’s failure to win any of their last 4 games is due to the absence of William Saliba. And there’s some sense to that. Even though conceding goals is unavoidable, Arteta’s defence has grown porous without the Arsenal No. 12. I bet you’d agree with me that some of Arsenal’s 13 goals in the last six games should have been avoided.
Arsenal’s defence is in disarray without William Saliba. Rob Holding has no idea what it takes to play like the Frenchman. The message is evident by now: Arteta’s defence still needs reinforcing.
Even if Saliba will return, I feel Arsenal should sign another great centre-back this summer. Saliba and Magalhaes have been outstanding. But, if Arteta’s project is to succeed, it will require more than two trustworthy centre-backs.
We need to see Jakub Kiwior given opportunities between now and preseason. He should be ready to go by next season, standing in for Gabriel on occasion.
For Saliba, Arteta must assess what the transfer market has to offer his assistants. Rob Holding is just not the Frenchman’s finest backup. Holding was exposed against Manchester City.
“[Against Haaland] Holding, in particular, it was a total mismatch,” Michael Owen said on PL Productions, as quoted by HITC
“I would have been grabbing all kinds of help that I could. I mentioned this at halftime; he had to be more aggressive.
“You can’t let him bring the ball down so simply and let him turn to bring the ball down for de Bruyne. He was just too big, too strong, and too quick for him, in every way, shape, or form. I felt sorry for Holding.”
I don’t have Arsenal scouts on my speed dial. If I had, I’d suggest they examine Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba and Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix. They are two of the best right-footed centre-backs Arteta’s project yearns for. Maybe they are worth considering…
Darren N
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Of course they do. Not even having at go at existing staff here, to challenge for honours you need as many quality CB’s as you can. It aids in injury cover and allows rotation.
I have a guy I’m impressed with at Dinamo Zagreb. Josip Sutalo, 23 yrs, Croatian, part of the Croatian National team, has champions league experience, 2 time croatian league winner and he won’t cost too much. He has good physicality too.
In answer to the question posed, what we really need is a quality RB to enable Ben White and Tomi to be used as centre backs which is their natural position.Holding,who has been unfairly criticised by many fans and pundits will probably be moved on in any case, but given the above scenario, we would still be left with 5 centre backs including the talented Saliba.Personally, I feel Gabriel is the big weak link in our defence, and with him in the side, I will always be uneasy.
Exactly my thoughts.
Bring in an Ivan Fresneda and let White earn his pay as a CB
Ah, grandad! The wisdom of the elders. I hope that those who matter are listening.
It’s too obvious. Lacroix would likely be more affordable than Tapsoba, because of his contract length
I think Haaland will even outmuscle and outpace high-profile CBs like Gvardiol, Upamecano and De Ligt, because of the boy’s sheer size and pace
Man City will meet Real Madrid next month and I think only Rudiger can keep up with Haaland. I doubt Militao can beat Haaland in the air constantly and this is why we need to find someone as dominant as Saliba
This article, while being true, actually understates, and by a distance too, the VITAL necessity of bringing in another CB of REAL TOP LEVEL QUALITY.
To my logical mind, it is way more than obvious that our recent results slump is almost entirely down to the fact we have lost SALIBA AT THIS CRUCIAL TIME.
I am convinced that had he been fit, with no need to play the well meaning, hard working but ultimately markedly INFERIOR HOLDING, that wewould by now have at least another six points from the three games prior to City. And very possibly more still by drawing at.Etihad .
Either way, we would be by now, still be title favourites instead of rank outsiders to City.
I have long campaigned, going back a full decade into Wengers time, for a far greater emphasis all round on improving our defence, even if it meant improving other departments of the team less than we have.
Ideally of course, we would strengthen across the whole team and squad.
But even with Kroenke , meaning Josh, not Stan, “APPEARING” to now be a fan of our team, money is not endless and we have to make choices of where it is most helpful to spend.
And I SAY , BLUNTLY AND FORCEFULY, that it is even now , after more years than I CARE TO RECALL, A NECESSITY to spend on defence and in particular, on AT LEAST one more top level CB. And to get gone those like Holding, who as loyal as he is, is INCAPABLE of reaching the level we need!
Look at Joseph Okumu of Gent, Belgium. The steely athleticism would be a plus.
If and only if Arsenal truly wants to change and be ambitious for titles they do need a monsteruos right footed CB, a solid rock top CM Laturo not over hyped and over priced Declan Rice, someone far above Partey and Xhaka if they still insist on recycling him to cause more goals against us, the person shouldn’t be above 26 years. Finally you may shout or disagree with me but I suggest they should sack Arteta at the end of the season. He’s not a good finisher, he’s static, bereft of new ideas and tactics on the go, he lacks the the high mental prowess to take it head on. With less quality, hostile Board and fans Unai Emry took us to Europa final in first attempt. Had he been given all the support that Arteta is enjoying we would have been far better than what we are right now. We could have been the one enjoying Pep G. right now had the Mgt chosen to terminate AW’s contract when Pep was available. Now that Velverde and Naigeslman are available they should do the needful and pick one of them now if they’re really interested in Titles. Enough of sentiments and misguided emotions please.
JEMMAN, I will say only that despite what you write , the is absolutely ZERO chance of Kroenke doing as you wish. I am sure you, as well as every other Gooner too, knows that will not happen.
I do agree with your comment about we could and should have had PEP, had our dinosaur board been in touch with reality, which sadly they were not, back then.
JEMMAN, I bet to disagree with you on Arteta. Do you know what he has been able to change in that team both on the field of play and off field? The culture, character, discipline and philosophy. Taking the bold decision to sack lackadaisical players like Aubameyang and Co. May I need reminding you that, that Arsenal team is the youngest in England and even in Europe. The best chance they were given at the start of the season was top 4 by computer and pundits prediction. I stand to tell you, that Arsenal squad value-wise is below Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea, even Tottenham and you’re downplaying what Arteta has achieved with these young guns when nobody gave them the chance? Honestly it baffles me.
Yes, Arsenal are not there yet. But when you call for Arteta’s sack at this stage it’s very weird. They’re a work in progress and when you look at where they’re coming from and where they’re now, they’re on the right track. Having a team like City chasing you for the title will always be a long run at the end of the day(I’m even surprise Liverpool are not in the chasing pack and I bet you too) but I take nothing away from these boys. The club just need to build on squad depth and you’ll see them getting better next season.
No we don’t need one new center half, we bloody well need
Two and putting Ben white back in the middle will only make thing’s worse. I’m afraid many Arsenal fan’s and utubb pundits
Have been veiwing some players through rose coloured glasses something that can happen when your just happy to
See your team top of the table. I’ve been an Asenal fan since
1958 and would so love to see them win another title before
I go underground but I won’t be this season and I’ve never
Thought it would. Arteta has done a brilliant job but needs
Time to strengthen both the the first eleven and squad.
I’ll just give one example many think Mr Ben white is a
Great defender, but he’s one of the most over rated players
In the Premier league and I wasn’t surprised one bit when
He returned early from the World Cup . For me the only
Back four Player good enough at Asenal is the French lad
Who’s been covering & carrying the defence all season and
When he went out injured it all fell apart. But it’s not all bad
Back in the Champions League and the fans in love with the
Team again now Let’s see Arteta strengthen this Arsenal team
For nexst season, second to Manchester City is no disgrace.
You are of course entitled to your views David but I suspect you are one of a very small minority who does not appreciate the talent of Ben White.Along with Saliba, Tomi and Tierney I believe we have four very good defenders.
Pops I agree, all these so-called experts are a pain, no idea about football is typical of people today, who want everything now, have no patience, can’t see what Arteta is building, and can’t stand the plastic armchair fans, but you are right they are entitled to their views, but alas no justification or idea behind it. I for one am looking forward to next season and CL football again, passport up to date and “We are on our way, we’re on our way”
People are just questioning some of the decisions lately since the pressure has increased.
1. Starting Vieira anywhere in the squad, especially at central midfield.
2. We have dropped off since Jesus came back, compared to the creativity and execution when Trossard was playing as the 9.
3. Tierney is the better defender by far, yet can’t get a sniff even when Zinchenko has been flat and directly responsible for several goals lately.
4. Rotation is an issue. We don’t have depth at every position, but Trossard can rotate up top, ESR can rotate up top or in midfield (10 goals last season), Jorginho in midfield, and Tomiyasu out hurts a lot in terms of rotation
Agreed. The problem is that after that the choices dry up fast. Hence we could do with better cover right across the back four. Holding is nice guy, gives 100%, but will never be a regular due to his pace. As you said in another post, the other choices are not really choices at all.
Although the team isn’t as fragile as it was in the mid to late Wenger years (well done Arteta for choosing better back room staff) when they seemed to be made of glass, the problem of injuries and inadequate replacements has become clear over the last month.
Tomi and Tierney are perma crocked
Need 2 cbs and a left and right back
2 mids minimum and a true cf
Anything less and the team will get smoked in all 4 competitions unless of course everyone wants the new standard 8th place!
Whoever that bring Kiwior to Arsenal is the person that makes us to concceed those goals since Saliba injury. So please dispose Kiwior and get us a good replacement at center back. We are desperately in need of one.
Silly question!!!!!!!
The centre halves, the centre backs, Holding ,holding, holding is responsible blah blah blah. Our midfield has been responsible for every point lost over the last four games and was made a mockery of against City. You so called loyal fans know who the culprits are but find it easier to point the finger of blame at one player, just because he isn’t Saliba. Last season some of you were doubting that Saliba would not be up to it because Arteta is never wrong. You know the score. Arsenal won’t win anything without a proper wingback and Partey and Xhaka going downhill.
Should we not give Kiwior a chance first?