Arsenal: Hijacking Virgil van Dijk Crowding Out Rob Holding Future

Arsenal may hijack Chelsea’s deal for Virgil van Dijk. The move, though, merely crowds out the future of Rob Holding without solving the Gunners’ defensive issues.

Arsene Wenger has long been criticised for failing to assemble a solid and formidable defence. The argument reasons his early defensive success due to the Arsenal legends that he inherited – Tony Adams, Lee Dixon, Martin Keown et al. – rather than those who he brought in and the system that he employed.

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Such an argument does overlook the development of Ashley Cole under Wenger’s tutelage and the acquisition of Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure in the subsequent years that comprised three-quarters of the back four that anchored the Invincible Premier League title.

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However, since that time, the criticism that Wenger and his defensive players have faced is justified. For well over a decade, the Gunners have not boasted a stifling, suffocating, imposing defence. Part of that is down to a lack of individual talent, especially at centre-half. But much can be attributed to Wenger’s attacking system and the exposed defensive midfield area that have been marshalled by sub-standard players like Alex Song, Mikel Arteta and Francis Coquelin.

And the lack of talent at centre-half has been addressed, to some extent, by adding Shkodran last summer. Moreover, the emergence of Rob Holding as a promising defender is another reason to steer clear of adding another to the position. That is why the rumours suggesting that Arsenal may look to hijack Chelsea’s scheduled move for Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk are so frustrating and worrying.

It cannot be argued that Wenger does not need to address the defensive issues that have plagued his side. However, adding another centre-half is not the way to do that. Individually, Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny are good defenders. Holding is also an extremely talented youngster with a bright future ahead of him.

Arsenal’s issues lie deeper than simply a lack of talent. Van Dijk is undoubtedly an accomplished defender who has impressed in his role at Southampton this season. But it is the system, the midfield exposure and the collective solidarity and organisation, or lack thereof, that are holding the Gunners back, not the talent of their players.

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Holding should be the one heralded as the future of Arsenal’s back four. Simply adding more and more players does not solve an issue that is far more entrenched and deep rooted than personnel shortcomings. You only end up crowding out the futures of others.