Arsenal and Jonny Evans: Personnel is not the problem

Arsenal are being strongly linked with a January move for Jonny Evans. Their defensive problems, though, are not because of personnel. There is a deeper-rooted issue that no player can solve.

Arsenal have lacked a strong and stable defence for many years. With a vast number of players, playing in different systems, all with varying styles, no matter what has been tried, the test results are always the same: a leaky defence that breeds a vulnerability throughout the team. And, like every other season, this one is no different.

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The Gunners have conceded 28 goals in 22 Premier League games. That is the worst record of the top-six, bettered by teams like Burnley and Brighton. It is not something to be proud of; it is indicative of their deficiencies. And so, in hoping to sure-up his defence, Arsene Wenger is turning to an established and experienced Premier League defender, a defender who has won titles and trophies, a defender who is renowned for his nous and his knowledge, a defender who, first and foremost, defends. Wenger is turning to Jonny Evans.

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BBC Sport, among others, are reporting that Arsenal and Manchester City have both made contact with West Bromwich Albion regarding a possible move for the Northern Irish stalwart. It is not an especially surprising or breathtaking rumour. Links with both clubs have surfaced in past windows and Evans, having played for Manchester United for a number of years under Sir Alex Ferguson, is different to the typical Premier League journeymen that are often ambitiously contorted into such media reports, making any such transfer far more believable. But the question of improvement must be asked: Would Evans actually help Arsenal and their defensive shortcomings? Is he the solution to their problems?

The issue with Evans has nothing to do with him and everything to do with Arsenal. Arsenal’s problems do not come from lacking or subpar personnel. Although there are certain concerns with Shkodran Mustafi’s composure and decision-making, with Per Mertesacker’s mobility, with Nacho Monreal’s positional comfort, with the experience and understanding of Calum Chambers and Rob Holding, with Laurent Koscielny’s ailing Achilles, that does not make them bad players. Many of them are sound, secure, consistent defenders that should, in the right system, be able to form a capable, if not outstanding, defence. But Arsenal have anything but a capable and consistent defence.

The problem is not a personnel one; the problem is a philosophical one. And it rests, ultimately, on the shoulders of Wenger. Here is Sebastien Squillaci, who was an infamously poor defender during his days in North London, speaking on how difficult Wenger makes it for his central defenders:

"“It’s true a lot was expected from me when I arrived. But it’s always been difficult for central defenders at Arsenal. You can see that from before my time and after my time. The style of play was a bit like Spain’s. It was very open, and often we found ourselves defending in the middle one on one with the opposition attackers. It was never easy. It was very attacking. But that was the club’s philosophy. I talked about it with coach Wenger. He told me, ‘I know it’s difficult, but I want us to play like this, I want the attacking players to have more freedom and less defensive work’”"

Signing Evans is a move that may bolster the defensive options that Wenger has available to him. In fact, it is actually a very un-Wenger signing considering the style and age of the player — very rarely does Wenger sign a player that is 30 years or older. And that may be exactly what Arsenal need.

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But Evans alone will not solve their openness, the ease at which they are exploited, the exposed, barren, unattentive nature with which they defend. That is not personnel. It is a philosophy, and no player can change that.

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