Arsenal: Am I the only one who prefers Stephan Lichtsteiner?

Arsenal’s fullback problem is getting better, according to some, but sure I can’t be the only one who still thinks that Stephan Lichtsteiner should be starting.

Arsenal‘s defense is improving, which is a big deal, because it remained the major weak link through the transition between Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery. They couldn’t defend at the close of last year, and the start of this year was no different.

Sokratis brought in a quick fix, as he has settled into the club as a reliable sentinel of defensive goodness, and while he hasn’t been perfect, it’s all a step in the right direction.

But the fullbacks have been a major problem, and a problem that I think can be fixed far easier than it is currently being. After the Fulham match, I caught a lot of flak for being unduly critical on Hector Bellerin, who I was yet again not impressed with. But my frustrations with Bellerin stop at his defensive inabilities.

I’ll concede all day long that he is a fantastic attacker and he showed that with a venomous shot, an assist, and a heck of a lot of positive attacking play. But the man still can’t defend to save his life, or to save the defense a prickly moment or two.

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That’s why I’m still sounding the battle cry for Stephan Lichtsteiner to take the lead. My logic behind this couldn’t be simpler: The attack doesn’t need help. The defense does. So start the better defender over the better attacker.

Lichtsteiner knows defending. He knows positioning. He knows it all. And chances are, he will fix a hell of a lot more than it seems simply by staying in line with his centerbacks. I get that our defensive problems don’t all fall on Bellerin, but if a defensive improvement can be made, I wish we would just make it.

And, if the drop-off in attacking prowess is too much for Unai Emery, then swap Monreal for Kolasinac and let the Bosnian make it up on the other side of the pitch.

I want to see Bellerin improving on the defensive side of things. I’m sorry, but we have to have priorities here and the defense should be the No. 1 priority.

I’m trying not to sound bitter. I’m happy with the direction the club is going and will admit that even this complaint is a bit nit-picky, but how will we know it doesn’t work better until we try?