Arsenal Vs Southampton: Indecision must force Wenger to decide

Arsenal’s defending against Southampton on Sunday afternoon was painfully indecisive. As a result, it must force Arsene Wenger to decide what to do this summer.

Neither Calum Chambers nor Shkodran Mustafi particularly enamoured themselves to the fans during Sunday’s 3-2 win over Southampton. While it was the attack that ultimately rescued Arsenal, with two goals from Danny Welbeck and a poked Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finish for his customary score, there were serious concerns at the back.

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Neither goal, for instance, was well defended. The disconnect between the two centre-halves, the full-backs and midfield cover was plain to see. Crosses caused problems throughout the 90 minutes, and had it been for a different linesman, Southampton could have scored more than the two that they did.

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In particular, it was the indecision of both Chambers and Mustafi that scuppered the Gunners’ defensive shape and success. For the opening goal, Mustafi waited for Petr Cech to claim a cross that was never his to claim. The German was in the perfect position to step across the near post and clear away. He hesitated. Shane Long didn’t.

It was then both of their faults for the second, neither clearing a cross from the left well, with Chambers looking particularly panicked at the far post as he tumbled over in his best efforts to repel the danger. Chambers then recovered to his feet, only for Cedric to leave him standing in the box as the Southampton full-back skipped towards the by-line, while Mustafi was sleeping with ever-alert Charlie Austin nipping in front for the Saints’ temporary equaliser.

The indecision that was on show from both Mustafi and Chambers must force Arsene Wenger into exactly what they failed to do. The Arsenal manager must now be sure to evaluate the respective qualities and contributions of Mustafi and Chambers quickly and accurately, before then acting on such evaluations with assurance and conviction.

Given that Laurent Koscielny has already begun to show signs of his age, with his ailing Achilles really starting to scupper his performance-level, there is already the need for at least one centre-half signing this summer. Now that neither Mustafi nor Chambers are looking capable of inheriting his mantle as the anchor of this defence, it could be argued that two new centre-backs are required.

Conversely, it could be the case that Wenger strongly believes that Chambers, Mustafi or both are capable of being week-in-week-out starters for the coming season/s. If that is what he believes, even though I would disagree with that assessment, he must then prove to act accordingly, with confidence and surety.

Next: Arsenal Vs Southampton: 5 things we learned

The time to decide has come. I do not know what decision Wenger will make. It may or may not be one that I agree with. But one needs to be made.