Arsenal: Defensive solution down to one man, or wholesale changes?

Arsenal have improved significantly under Unai Emery. However much of the defensive problems from the Wenger era remain. How should the club fix them?

Arsenal are notorious for their weak defense. During the Arsene Wenger era, the club’s style of play became beautiful and attacking-based. Through this attacking creativity, however, came defensive fragility.

Coming into this season, many fans were crying out for the lack of wingers in the squad. While that is another major problem Unai Emery and co. need to fix, the glaring hole in the squad is the constant defensive frailties. The question is: what is the best way to fix this issue?

In the summer of 2017, Jamie Redknapp and Jamie Carragher argued over how to fix Liverpool’s defensive woes. Redknapp suggested that signing Virgil van Dijk (which eventually happened, obviously) would be a major help to the club’s defense.

Carragher passionately disagreed however, saying one man could not fix this big of a problem. It is up for debate whether van Dijk truly solved Liverpool’s defensive woes or whether it was better structure and direction provided by Jurgen Klopp.

Today, the Gunners face a similar issue. Though just having a remarkable unbeaten run end, the team is still letting in far too many goals for a top four-hopeful side.

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Many are calling for the club to sign a big money, marquee defender like van Dijk to fix the problem. Names such as Kalidou Koulibaly and Milan Skriniar have been thrown out there in transfer speculation, though it is highly unlikely their respective clubs sell the talented defenders.

I do believe the Gunners are lacking a true defensive rock at the moment, like a van Dijk. Someone who the rest of the defensive line, and the goalkeeper, can look at to organize and lead during tough stretches of matches.

One could argue that Sokratis is that defender at the moment, but that, again, is up for debate. He is also on the wrong side of 30 and cannot be counted on for the future.

The decision is ultimately up to the men behind the scenes about what should be done with the squad. Perhaps splashing out £75m on a defender is not necessary, but better organization can do the trick.

However the club decides to address their defensive woes ultimately doesn’t matter, so long as those woes disappear. Should they remain, Arsenal’s hopes of getting back in the Champions League, where they belong, will be a much tougher task.