Arsenal: Per Mertsacker is the defense’s best way forward

Arsenal’s defense was shambolic against Leicester City and that all comes down to personnel. That said, the easiest solution is Per Mertesacker.

It wasn’t easy to see Arsenal‘s defense crumble against Leicester City. But for as much griping and moaning as there was on social media about the need for pouting Virgil van Dijk or various other defenders, you’d think that the back three Arsene Wenger sent out there was his first choice three.

Which it simply wasn’t.

We had a wing back in Sead Kolasinc, an inexperienced Rob Holding and a left back in Nacho Monreal. That’s hardly an imposing back three.

That said, there are some pretty easy solutions moving forward and I think it has to come down to communication first and foremost, with also taking into consideration what was lacking against Leicester City – height and solidity.

My solution might not be popular, but I can think of no better way. A back three of Shkodran Mustafi–Per Mertesacker–Laurent Koscielny is the way to go. Nowhere else will you find a better combination of defensive ability and that aforementioned solidity, as well as experience which, at this point, is right up there next to communication.

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Speaking of communication, Mertesacker is the guy that holds that all together. With the towering height that he has, zonal marking might actually take on a whole new effectiveness, especially when paired with the German’s abilities and two sidekicks like Koscielny and Mustafi, both of whom rank as two of the best defenders in England as well as being clear communicators themselves.

Plus, none of those three get that far forward. Mustafi and Koscielny will make the occasional run, but for the most part, they will leave that to the attackers. Meaning their positioning will almost always be intact, which addresses another problem we saw against the Foxes.

The only drawback to this idea is Mertesacker’s lack of pace, but that’s the benefit of this set up. He can sit deep absorb pressure, as he loves to do, and in the worst case scenario where he gets beat over the top, both Mustafi and Koscielny, as well as whoever is playing on the flanks, has enough speed to cover.

Organization is what this defense needs, and these are three guys that can organize an entire back line all by themselves, so stick all three together and it will become a well-oiled machine.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against Leicester City

Of course, Nacho Monreal is the odd ball out here, but it’s not like he won’t have his chances. I don’t think he should be made a scapegoat or anything, I just feel like the perks of this proposed back line is too tantalizing to pass up.

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