Arsenal: Rob Holding Verifies Wenger’s Centre Back Formula

Rob Holding is a continuation of certain characteristics that had made previous Arsenal defensive partnerships successful. What are the implications of this?

The recent signing of Rob Holding has brought renewed scrutiny upon the adequacy of Arsenal’s defence. Though many may deny it, Arsenal has actually had a few strong defensive outfits, even in recent years. The most memorable of these was the Mertesacker-Koscielny partnership of 13-14. I mean, those guys were so good, they managed to win Wojciech Szczesny the golden gloves for that season!

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The greatest strength of those two were their complimentary attributes. Koscielny is a positive defender with great pace, which he uses to venture out towards the halfway line, make sharp tackles and nip attacks in the bud. Meanwhile, Mertesacker would cover for his lack of pace by staying further back, but used his superior reading of the game to block passing lanes and isolate runners-in-behind.

It was a perfect combination of Koscielny’s physique and Mertesacker’s intelligence. The typical brain-and-brawn duo. Am I allowed to compare them to Asterix and Obelix?

It seems as though this sort of juxtaposition is the gold standard for dual defensive partnerships. Though more solidity might be provided by a three-man back line (see the Italian National Team and Juventus), the two-man formation allows for better involvement from the full backs. For other great duos have been in the same mold, think Vidic and Ferdinand.

Just as Koscielny and Mertesacker’s differences help them function together, the two full backs, Bellerin and Monreal, complement each other in a similar way. Thus, Arsenal’s defense forms a zig-zag shape with, from right to left: Bellerin forward, Mertesacker back, Koscielny forward and Monreal back. Fast, intelligent, fast, intelligent. It gives the ideal balance and stability to Arsenal’s backline.

If only it was ever this simple.

This is the Premier League. Nothing is ever that simple. Arsenal’s back line is not quite the perfect, tactical masterpiece of a picture that I have painted, but rather a creaking, unreliable unit whose output you can never be sure of. It’s utility engineering, not art.

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However, the success of this model in the past would mean that Wenger, in trademark stubborn style, is going to persist with it. Yet, in this case I wouldn’t criticize him for it, as the only real alternative is the three man line, which Louis Van Gaal proved doesn’t work in England.

It seems that all Arsenal centre-halves are of one of the types: the Mertesacker style and the Koscielny style. Gabriel  Paulista is of the Koscielny mold, whereas Calum Chambers is of Mertesacker’s. It is upon Calum Chambers that I am going to focus.

Chambers, in his encouraging first year at Arsenal, caught the eye by showing a shrewd understanding of the game, and maturity beyond his 20 years. He is positionally sound, a leader on the pitch and strong in the air. although his speed is his main drawback.

Sound anything like a certain Big Friendly German?

It is little wonder then, that his strongest performance in that 2014-15 season (at center back), probably came in the Community Shield, when playing alongside Koscielny, his stylistic juxtaposition.

Coming back to Rob Holding, it appears as though Wenger has brought to be the partner for Chambers in the future, just as he was during England’s victorious U-21 Toulon Cup campaign. Their attributes complement each other’s in the same way as the tried and tested Mertescielny model.

With Gabriel having flattered to deceive in his 18 months at the club, Wenger has planned for even further into the future with a talented young defender who is not only a precocious talent of his own, but is also tailor-made to suit Arsenal’s existing players and system.

But then again, it’s never that simple.

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What do you think Arsenal fans? Is the current defensive model sustainable or should we migrate to a new one? Is Holding really the ideal tactical fit? Have your say in the comments below.