Arsenal: Time to find their Virgil van Dijk

As Virgil van Dijk’s time at Liverpool proves, world-class centre-halves can revolutionise a defence. It is time, therefore, for Arsenal to find theirs.

If there was one focus of Arsenal’s business last summer, it was trying to find immediate help for a leaky defence. The Arsene Wenger years saw a very unstable defence continually undermine a powerful attack. The new era did not want to make the same mistakes.

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Of the five signings they made, the most offensive was a 19-year-old midfield project. The other positions they addressed were defensive midfield, centre-back, right-back and goalkeeper. Three of the five signings are now key starters, with Stephan Lichtsteiner also starting regularly because of injury and Matteo Guendouzi heavily involved in the midfield rotation.

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And yet, those defensive issues still remain. They are not as pronounced as under Wenger and they have improved as the season has progressed, but there are still major personnel weaknesses at left-back, centre-back and out wide, all of which would help an unconvincing defence. But if there is one signing that Arsenal should make this summer, it is to find the world-class centre-half that they can build their whole defensive structure upon.

Take Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool, for instance. The Dutchman was signed a little over a year ago for a world-record £80 million. Eyebrows were certainly raised at the figure, but he now looks like a bargain given the impact he has had on the Liverpool defence. Perhaps his most substantial effect has been the confidence and calmness that he instills in those around him. Every single defensive and midfield player in the team has improved simply as a result of his presence.

That, in essence, is the whole point of having a foundational centre-back. Defending is not an individual process. Having one remarkable defender does not really help a team if those around that defender are still poor. A defence’s efficacy stems from the cohesiveness of the entire group. Van Dijk’s improvement of those around him is a testament, therefore, to his value.

In his first 50 games at the club compared to the 50 games preceding his arrival, Liverpool’s win percentage improved by 14%, they conceded 16 fewer goals, and had six more clean sheets, keeping a clean sheet in just under half of van Dijk’s first 50 games, a staggering record indicative of his impact.

It is time for Arsenal to find their van Dijk. And not just because they need a new centre-back, although that is a part of it. But because of the impact that such an addition will have on every single player around them. Hector Bellerin will be a better right-back. Sead Kolasinac will be a better left-back, Bernd Leno a better goalkeeper, the midfielder tighter and free to be more aggressive and offensive.

A truly world-class centre-back has the potential to revolutionise a team. Not because of their individual performance, but due to the improvements they cause all over the pitch. That is precisely what Arsenal need. The question now is whether they can find it.