Against Fulham, Arsenal’s defence was exposed. Mikel Arteta, without a doubt, is in serious need of a defensive signing as soon as the transfer window opens.
In the Sunday loss to Fulham, it was suddenly revealed how an injury may expose Arsenal’s defence. Mikel Arteta was without Oleksander Zinchenko against Fulham and Jakub Kiwior was used at left back for the fifth time, but he was unable to motivate Mikel Arteta to give him a run of games there.
Tomiyasu, who had just returned from injury, was introduced at halftime, implying Arteta didn’t trust Kiwior in that position.
Tomiyasu will be away for a few weeks to compete in the Asian Games. With Tomiyasu away, Zinchenko has no reliable backup on the left wing, and let’s not forget that n the right Ben White doesn’t either.
The Gunners cannot afford to overlook this transfer requirement. They need to find a versatile fullback who can fill in for White and Zinchenko.
Fortunately, Sergio Roberto, a versatile Barcelona full-back, has been linked with a move. Signing him may be crucial not just because he will be less expensive but also because he could be an option if an Arsenal full-back is unavailable until Tomiyasu returns and Jurrien Timber is fit to play.
When a central defender is injured, Ben White can step in. If Jakub Kiwior doesn’t leave as heavily suggested, he can fill in at central defence as well. Arteta needs to recognise the former Spezia man isn’t a full back: he’s just a centre back, and he should start giving him minutes at central defence, even if it’s just cameos, to build his confidence and prepare him to step up when needed.
What do you think?
Damiel O
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We don’t desperately need a fullback. We desperately need a good LCM
Arsenal does need an aggressive TargetMan but also Arsenal’s problems are both fullback positions. In reality Arsenal do not have an a real energetic fullback and have been fortunate to get away with using central defenders or midfielders in those positions. //The full back has to be the most energetic player on show and the lacking of forward overlapping runs is not giving space to Martinelli or Sake to play with.// The Arsenal so called fullbacks are also not getting back in time to prevent or slow down that early in swinging cross by the opposition.// Arteta needs to recall Tierney at least and invest in two quality out and out energetic fullbacks that can run up and down the pitch all day long without breaking sweat, rather than being static, waiting for the back pass in nomans land. //That is why Martinelli and Saka are not at their best, it’s because of the lack of options and support buy fullbacks.
Yes Tierney would be great, but he’s on long term injury.
He is back playing for RS Jax.
Oh well, that’s good news, although I don’t suppose there’s much chance of recalling him. He could do a job if Arteta would swallow his pride & play conventional backs.
Tierney back 5 games for R.S. and they haven’t lost a game
Tierney played the 90 minutes of the last match on 21 December. Real Sociedad play again today so will see if he is in line up.
Great news!
Your assessment of our weaknesses is correct daveg but I would go further and highlight the need for an athletic, physically powerful box to box midfielder to support Rice.Partey of course fits the bill but his injury record means we badly need a quality alternative to him.Fofanna of Monaco and France would be ideal rather than some of the midfielders in the EPL we are currently linked with.Sarr of Spurs who recently extended his contract,is the type of athletic player we need to bring pace and energy to the engine room.Havertz and Zinchenko are talented players who are being played out of position by our Manager who seems oblivious to the detrimental effect this is having in our performances this season.Havertz ought to be used as a CF or as a direct alternative for Odegaard who has lost his spark in recent weeks.Square pegs in round holes does not work and never will.
100% agree with this and modern football require that.
All this time Arteta did nothing to improve these positions, the players he signed are not good and either sold again or loaned them away.
The main warries, these days, for me is defending corners. in all corners, look at most arsenal players they are not looking at the flight of the ball, because they are giving their backs to flight of the ball and they look like headless chickens following their attackers and any team get in front of us and score from these coroners because it is easy, then they block the match and become very difficult to score against them as they have a winning position and our attackers get more and more anxious and frustrated. this happened several time this season. I don’t know how many corners we conceded this year but is very alarming stat may be 6 or 7 and no one highlighted that . must say we are better with crosses but terrible with corners!!!!!. Our vocal pundits need to highlight this as we are defending corners like school boys and we need urgent improvement here . no other pundits will mention this as they want Arsenal always to lose. EVEN Arterta him self not seeing this now!!!!i PLEASE SOME ONE GET THIS ACROSS
Saka played left fullback a couple of seasons ago, just mentioning it. Anyway yes we do seem to be vulnerable, especially at left back. Perhaps shouldn’t have been so hasty to send Tierney out on loan. By the way, the transfer window opened yesterday.
Tierney – ousted for some reason
Timber – injured
Tomi – great but not a LB
Zinch – should be nowhere near defence, midfielder
Kiwior – is a CB
White – is a CB, rarely supports the wing
Cedric – average and never used
So when you look at the reality, we actually only have 3 proper full backs that are good players in Timber, Tomi and Tierney and the 1 MA has ousted, Timber is injured and Tomi is doing his best to fill in….so as it stands we actually only have 1 fullback in the squad and he’ll be going to the Asia cup soon
White was one of our best players last season, and by far our most consistent performer imo, and was very important in our attacking play – I can’t believe he’s suddenly lost the ability to contribute from the RB position; can only think he’s being asked to play in a different way and it’s not working, or he’s just off form for other reasons. (He’s also not a great CB, far more influential at RB, when on form, imo).
Tomi is not a natural fullback – he’s just a good defender, and I don’t believe he’s any worse at CB than he is at fullback; CB might be his most natural position.
Similarly to timber (who I haven’t seen that much of tbf) strikes me as a midfielder playing in defence – last season he was mostly played at CB, I thought? That doesn’t mean he’s not a good defender, just saying he’s not a “proper fullback”. I think he’s a very talented footballer who could do a job in several roles. Alaba is probably a good comparison.
Summed up nicely PJ. Timber never played LB for Ajax nor the Dutch national side where he has been used as a right sided centre back in a back three or four.He has the ability to do well as a RB or as a DM, but he is not a left sided player and never will be.
From what I’ve seen of him I think he would be phenomenal as a partner for Rice…both powerful and athletic
I agree.I just hope his injury does not blunt his pace which sometimes happens after ACL problems.
I believe Timber will return soon and Arsenal almost reach their FFP quota, so I don’t think they will make a purchase in January
If we can sell some players then we can buy. Manty Turkish side are already requesting Mo Elneny. I think he should be sold and possibly Nkethia. In my opinion both aren’t needed badly
The sales must be done as soon as possible to give the new player more time to work with his new teammates
The main warries, these days, for me is defending corners. in all corners, look at most arsenal players they are not looking at the flight of the ball, because they are giving their backs to flight of the ball and they look like headless chickens following their attackers and any team get in front of us and score from these coroners because it is easy, then they block the match and become very difficult to score against them as they have a winning position and our attackers get more and more anxious and frustrated. this happened several time this season. I don’t know how many corners we conceded this year but is very alarming stat may be 6 or 7 and no one highlighted that . must say we are better with crosses but terrible with corners!!!!!. Our vocal pundits need to highlight this as we are defending corners like school boys and we need urgent improvement here . no other pundits will mention this as they want Arsenal always to lose. EVEN Arterta him self not seeing this now!!!!i PLEASE SOME ONE GET THIS ACROSS
Nah, we need no left back.
Would you like to explain why you consider a left back is not required?
Don’t feed the troll
If only people at Arsenal can start thinking right. Every thinking person’s Priority in a football match is “SCORING GOALS, AHEAD OF DEFENDING. “
What do you defend if you can’t score goals? The negativity that Arteta is bringing at Arsenal is drowning the club. There’s a reason Strikers cost a lot more than defenders in the real world. You don’t win anything by defending, and then praying for goals. You can howeverWin trophies by scoring lots of goals, and wishing the team defends their lead.
Who will you play at left back if Zinchenko is unavailable and Tomiyasu is away? Don’t tell me Kiwior, he struggles there
Time for us to discover a new Ashley Cole. Lino Sousa’s been in the squad a few times, so perhaps he’ll get a cup game sooner or later.
After spending so much money and inheriting young talents our manager can’t assemble a good squad. The current coaching is mostly about possession rather than speed and tricks. So we better change the Manager first.