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Martin Skrtel Provides Interesting Option for Arsenal
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal are not in the most dire need to sign a new defender. With Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny mixing it up with Gabriel Paulista for the center two spots and Calum Chambers waiting in the ranks, their defensive line actually feels pretty solid.
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But would more defense hurt? Certainly not.
While most defensive links have been seemingly eliminated, one new defensive possibility has opened up in the form of Martin Skrtel. Aside from needing at least one more vowel in his last name, Skrtel is also in need of a new home after he was just down right disgusted with the offer that Liverpool gave him (according to ESPNFC).
Martin Skrtel’s current contract runs out next summer when he will be 31, so Liverpool will most likely want to get some money for him while they can. Being 30 years old, he won’t fetch the most enormous price, but he is open to literally anywhere. Well, anywhere except Manchester United.
“I can imagine a transfer to anywhere but to United, never.”
I almost want to sign him for that comment alone.
Many will recall Martin Skrtel from Liverpool’s stomping of Arsenal last year where Skrtel was the most prominent figure. His forehead is a massive weapon on set pieces and if there was one word that we had to pick to describe the Slovakian, it would undoubtedly be “fierce.”
With Francis Coquelin, Gabriel and Martin Skrtel in the same club, Arsenal would be inching near the top of the “teams I would want on my side in a bar fight” table.
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Statistically, Martin Skrtel is one of the best tacklers in the league. According to Squawka‘s statistics, Skrtel competed 100% of his take-ons compared to Laurent Koscielny’s 77.78%. He won 1.03 tackles per game compared to Koscielny’s .91 and his aerial duels won percentage and blocks per 90 topped Koscielny as well at 65.06% compared to 55.86% on aerial duels and 1.21 blocks compared to .71 blocks.
Gabriel Paulista has the potential to be a really good tackler as well, but Martin Skrtel is an established bruiser that would offer Arsenal an interesting opportunity on the defensive line. As good as Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have been, they are not exactly a fearsome duo. Put Martin Skrtel anywhere and it becomes fearsome.
According to Transfermarkt, Martin Skrtel would fetch a price of around 10 million pounds. All things considered, I say that is a bargain. Skrtel will bring intense competition to the back line. With four, maybe even five players competing for the center back spots, Arsenal will never have a want of options. Not only that but something tells me Skrtel would be an excellent feature when we face Liverpool.
Next: What positions must Arsene Wenger address?