Arsenal: Let's cut the Chris Smalling crap

Arsenal seem to be tied to Chris Smalling every other day, but there is absolutely nothing to be gained here, so let’s just cut the crap.

Arsenal’s defense is set. Maybe if Per Mertesacker retires, we should invest in another cheaper, long term option just in case Krystian Bielik doesn’t work out, but that option is absolutely not, nor has it ever been or ever will be, Chris Smalling.

Smalling is tied to the Gunners every single transfer window and every single window I, and many others, say the exact same thing: Cut the crap. There is nothing to be gained here. We are not a rehabilitation clinic for Manchester United rejects. We are still waiting for Danny Welbeck to be the goal machine that he was always meant to be.

Smalling offers nothing that we don’t already have. Even in our back three system, at best he would be sixth in line. And that’s if Mertesacker retires. Smalling can’t even hold down a starting spot in United’s back line, so what would we have to gain from him?

Statistically, Smalling brings nothing to the party that isn’t already there. You could say that he is a very strong aerial presence, and I’d nod and agree, he is pretty solid in the air. But when you look at his success this year in that category, he won just 2.7 aerial duels per appearance.

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When put into Arsenal’s current crop, that would put him 6th. Gabriel Paulista had 2.6 and Mertesacker didn’t play enough to rank but he would be ahead of Smalling too.

If you want to talk about his ability to win the ball back, he completed 1.4 ball winning actions on the year. The Gunners have wingers winning the ball back more frequently than that. Mesut Ozil won the ball back 1.3 times, and we all know how much he is valued for that particular skill set.

This is balderdash, hogwash, and every other synonym you can come up with for general nonsense. He’s 27 years old, so you can’t say “well, he will come around.” Maybe he will, but he won’t find the opportunities to do so at Arsenal. Not with Calum Chambers coming back a new man and Rob Holding a rock star.

I can’t believe we are having this discussion again, even in spite of the massive defensive improvements we have seen and the clear lack of need for any more defenders.

Next: 5 Players Who Are At A Crossroads

Smalling is simply not Arsenal material.

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Arsenal: Let’s cut the Chris Smalling crap

By Josh Sippie | Jun 15, 2017

Arsenal seem to be tied to Chris Smalling every other day, but there is absolutely nothing to be gained here, so let’s just cut the crap.

More from Pain in the Arsenal