Arsenal: Ashley Williams – The Necessary Signing

Wales reached the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time after a stirring fightback to defeat Belgium in the European Championship quarter-final, thanks in large part to their inspirational captain Ashley Williams.

It hasn’t always been plain sailing for Williams and Wales however, Manager Chris Coleman controversially stripped Aaron Ramsey of the captaincy just four winless matches into his reign, appointing Williams in the wake of a 6-1 thrashing by Serbia in September 2012. Wales were also nine minutes away from drawing 1-1 with tiny Andorra in their first European Championship qualifier, but now face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the semi-final of the European Championships.

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Prior to their emphatic 3-1 win over Belgium, Chris Coleman said: “Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but you need leaders in your side. When you have a strong dressing-room, as we do, you need a strong captain and Ash is that man”.

Ashley Williams is not only a rock for Wales, ever since Swansea City were promoted into the Premier League in 2011, Williams seems to have been the only constant and it still amazes me how no “big club” has come in for him. Things might change after his stellar performances during these European Championships and I hope Arsenal finally sign him up – they should have done so years ago.

Arsene Wenger should turn his attention to Williams – for whom Swansea knocked back bids from Sunderland and Newcastle last summer – especially now that No 1 target Mats Hummels opted to join Bayern Munich from Borussia Dortmund and considering Williams would be much better value for money than other Centre Backs that Arsenal have been linked with this summer.

Williams will be 32 in August, so Swansea may be inclined to sell their long serving talisman, who has made more than 300 top flight appearances since joining the club from Stockport County eight years ago. Arsenal should be on red alert as they look to bolster their defensive ranks ahead of another Premier League title bid. Wenger has already shown that he is willing to ignore age this summer with the failed pursuit of Jamie Vardy – if he is willing to spend £20m on Vardy (29), Williams is a no-brainer.

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Ex-Arsenal striker and Sky TV pundit Alan Smith once wrote in The Telegraph (via WalesOnline) that Williams was a defender he would not have looked forward to playing against.

He said: “Unfortunately there are not many left, old-school defenders who ignore the pain to battle on in aid of their team. Ashley Williams, however, is hewn from such stuff, as a former center-forward, he is exactly the type I would not look forward to playing against, mainly because he tends to give everything he has in every game, rarely letting up to offer any space”.

Every Arsenal fan is clamouring for a new striker but center back is just as big a priority – Per Mertesacker has undoubtedly been a fantastic servant but how long can he keep up with the physical demands of the Premier League? Arsenal purchased Gabriel from Villarreal CF nearly 18 months ago – ideally he would have established himself as a first-team regular by now but he has failed to do so. Calum Chambers made a whirlwind of a start to his Arsenal career but needs more first-team experience before becoming an Arsenal regular – this is why the signing of a center back like Ashley Williams is imperative for Arsenal if they want to continue to compete for major trophies.

Williams possesses all the necessary qualities of a top class modern day defender. He is a leader and an organiser, has great athletic ability, excellent distribution and a uncanny knack for reading the game. He makes players around him appear better, just ask Steven Caulker.

Next: Aaron Ramsey Performances Provide Headache

Ashley Williams would be the perfect partner for Laurent Koscielny – what is Wenger not seeing?