Arsenal: Radical Defensive Changes Could Be The Answer

With problems elsewhere identified as the cause for Arsenal’s slump, are we missing a trick by not looking into the defence? Could some changes be necessary

Something has obviously been terribly wrong with Arsenal for the last couple of months. People have been quick to blame goalkeepers, midfielders and, of course, the manager. however, could it be that the problem, and therefore the solution, lies in defense?

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When Arsenal landed Shkodran Mustafi at the very end of the summer transfer-window, there was universal jubilation. Here, at last, was the young, talented and consistent centre-back who could finally be the long-term solution to an ancient problem. He was high-profile, he was athletic, and he was the third-most expensive defender ever: a real statement of intent.

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With Santi Cazorla injured and Mohammed Elneny away, the raw, inexperienced and defensively weak combination of Granit Xhaka and Francis Coquelin have been manning the midfield, and not very well either.

With diminished playmaking abilities from the middle of the park, the centre-backs are drawn forward to counteract the effect of a high-press that prevents the ball from reaching the forwards in dangerous areas.

However, this in turn opens up gaps in Arsenal’s defensive structure, leaving spaces for opponents to exploit.

The idea of centre-backs being drawn too far forward is probably best evidenced in the goals conceded against Liverpool a couple of weeks ago.

Part of the blame may also lie with the fullbacks. Gabriel filling in for Hector Bellerin at right-back did mix up the structure of a backline that accounted for full-backs foraying forward, but that does not excuse the total lack of shape that has ensued.

Another factor is Nacho Monreal‘s increasingly diminished athletic powers, which sometimes prevent him from taking part in the vigorous physical work that such a system necessitates. Thus, the defence has become the creaky , dysfunctional unit that we have been seeing on our TV screens.

Could a switch-up be the solution?

In the Manchester City game, Koscielny was forced off at half-time, resulting in a Gabriel-Mustafi partnership.

Defensively, they did little of note, but that is almost a good thing. However, I did notice that, perhaps due to their inexperience in playing together, they played more conservatively, with Gabriel staying further back than Koscielny had been in the first period. This allowed Monreal to worry less about defensive duties, and he advanced forward with great effect.

An alternative might even be to replace Monreal with Kieran Gibbs, a physically superior specimen, albeit without Monreal’s positional awareness and passing technique. This would restore the mobility to the defence, despite the defensive weakness in central midfield. Combined with a more restrained approach from the centre-backs, this could restore the defence-attack balance.

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What do you think, Arsenal fans? Do the problems lie in defence, or elsewhere? What changes could remedy the defensive woes? Have your say in the comments below.