Arsenal: Alberto Moreno not the left-back solution

Alberto Moreno is being muted as a possible long-term replacement for Nacho Monreal. I am struggling to think of a more stupid idea for Arsenal to implement.

Arsenal have a left-back problem. In fact, they have had a kind of left-back problem for some time. I am aware that many people will quickly think ‘no they haven’t. They have Nacho Monreal. What’s wrong with Monreal?’ And it is a fair point. There isn’t really anything wrong with Monreal per se. But he is a limited player.

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That does not mean that he is not a valuable asset to this squad. His consistency, his leadership, his dependability are crucial traits that are increasingly rare at the Emirates. But while the game is evolving and is accentuating the importance of having excellent fullbacks, with Monreal, Arsenal are standing still.

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He is also not a long-term solution to the position. At 32, with an increasing number of injuries and not the most athletic basis to start from, the Spaniard is limited in his sustained efficacy. Can he even maintain the serviceable level that he has played at for most of his time in north London beyond this season? The very fact that the question is being asked proves that the time to invest in the future has arrived.

But there is a problem. According to the latest round of rumours in the tabloids, Arsenal have decided that Alberto Moreno is the man that they have targetted as the solution to the position, the Liverpool fullback’s contract expires at the end of the season and he would be available for nothing at the end of the year. He would at least be an economical addition. And he has worked with Unai Emery previously at Sevilla and Emery liked him, which is a driving force for these rumours. Unfortunately, though, that is where the good news ends.

The reason why Monreal is still the starting left-back is that the man who was sought out to be his successor, Sead Kolasinac, lacks the necessary defensive nous and intelligence to play a traditional fullback role. As a wingback, Kolasinac is perfect. Powerful, strong, fast, great stamina, a wonderful offensive wide outlet. But as a fullback, he has been routinely exposed.

That is a painfully beautiful mirroring of Moreno. When he is allowed to push forwards into advanced areas of the pitch, he does carry some value. Very quick, with a good delivery, in the modern mould, Moreno is a dangerous fullback. But he, like Kolasinac, simply cannot defend.

His positional sense is absolutely criminal. He lacks any semblance of a sense of danger. He does not read the game and anticipate growing threats. His marking continually lapses. He sleeps at crucial moments. He makes simple, schoolboy mental errors. Sadly, he would fit right in at the Emirates.

Arsenal do need to find a solution to their left-back problem. Investment at the position seems wise, at this point. But Moreno is not the man to invest in. In fact, I could hardly think of a worse player to target.