Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Must Focus on Defense

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Jun 26, 2014; Recife, BRAZIL; Germany defender Per Mertesacker (17) against USA during the 2014 World Cup at Arena Pernambuco. Germany defeated USA 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Recife, BRAZIL; Germany defender Per Mertesacker (17) against USA during the 2014 World Cup at Arena Pernambuco. Germany defeated USA 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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For many years Arsenal have not been able to defend. Since the days of Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure, Arsenal have looked shaky at best, especially against physically powerful teams and teams with great pace. This, more than anything else, is perhaps why it is so frustrating to be a fan of the Gunners.

One Saturday afternoon, they may blow away the opposition with neat, intricate passing. No more than a few days later, the free flowing football is a mere memory; replaced by the rock solid defensive duo of Pascal Cygan and Philippe Senderos (Yes, that truly was once the center back duo in years gone by).

Many have, rightly, may I add, criticized Wenger for neglecting the defensive side of the game. Some have pointed to his failure in delivering a successful ‘Barcelona Philosophy’, others, like Mourinho, have claimed that he himself taught Wenger how to defend in a recent bore draw at the Emirates.

Ultimately, for whatever reason, Wenger has been unable to create a solid defense on which to build. Now, I can almost hear you shout “What about Mertesacker and Koscielny?!” Firstly, Arsenal did have some form of defensive solidarity in the 2013/14 season. They only conceded 41 goals with 17 clean sheets. Only Chelsea kept more clean sheets that year with 18.

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However, these stats are slightly misleading. Unfortunately, I’m going to take you back to the big away games of that season. Arsenal lost all three away games against their fellow top 4 of that season, conceding a total of 17 goals. Wenger’s men also performed dismally against a rejuvenated Everton at Goodison Park, conceding a further three. In four tough away fixtures, Arsenal conceded 20 goals.

There is therefore two ways to look at the defensive performance of the 2013/14 season. Firstly, Arsenal were extremely tight against lower league opposition. Szczesny only picked the ball out of the net 21 times in 34 games. That is an outrageous record. However, this defensive stinginess must be balanced alongside the struggles against top opposition away from home.

At an average of five goals a game, Arsenal have lost four huge games against title rivals. This is where Wenger must improve; not only as a tactician (Wenger is drastically tactically naive, especially defensively, but did improve on this last season), but also in the transfer market. For Arsenal to challenge for the title, a clear goal for next season, they must be resolute defensively.

Thankfully, Wenger seems to have begun to accept that defensive football is an acceptable way of playing, particularly away from home against quality teams (see away vs Man City last year), however, the personnel to create a top class defense is not there.

So, where do Arsenal need investment to create a stingy, mean defense?

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There are two key positions that need reinforcement. I shall not talk about particular players for each role in this article; we have the whole summer to discuss players. Rather, I want to submit to you two types of players that are needed at the Emirates next season: A Defensive Midfielder and a Center Half.

The first type of player Arsenal must prioritize is a defensive midfielder. For years Arsenal have been lightweight in midfield. The last great defensive midfielder to play under Wenger was Gilberto Silva back when Arsenal were also known as the Invincibles and had one of the best defenses in the world (no coincidence there).

Since then fans have had to endure the inconsistencies of Alex Song, the absurd decision making of Mathieu Flamini and the downright dreadful defending of Mikel Arteta, who was played out of position having played in a much more attacking role at Everton.

Currently holding this role is Francis Coquelin, the forgotten man until halfway through last season. Firstly, I hold nothing against Coquelin; he is a more than adequate player. Defensively he is excellent and he is prepared to battle physically, but is he a world class defensive midfielder? No. He’s good, but no more than that. This is the first role that must be filled in the summer months.

The second player Wenger must be willing to pay for is a physically demanding, bruising center half; think a young John Terry. Koscielny is one of the most underrated players in the premier league. Unfortunately, his long time partner, Per Mertesacker, had his poorest season since joining Arsenal.

Per will be 31 in September. This is not overly worrying as his game does not require him to be physically dominating, something that will not deteriorate with age. However, BFG is not a world class defender like his partner in crime, and a replacement would be a smart move.

Yes, Gabriel Paulista is available, but I fear his playing style may be too similar to that of Koscielny. Many of the great defensive partnerships over the years, Terry and Carvalho, Vidic and Ferdinand, Adams and Campbell, consist of contrasting defenders; usually a ball winning center back and a sweeper type center back. Koscielny and Paulista both fulfill the sweeper type role. If Per, as I fear, is not up to task, then where is Arsenal’s ball winning center half?

These are two roles that must be filled by Wenger over the next few months. Let’s hope that he can deliver, and provide Arsenal with a true platform for a title challenge next year.

Next: Strikers Linked to Arsenal en Masse

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