Arsenal: Laurent Koscielny, Sokratis setting clear reminder

Arsenal’s defense needs two great defenders, which Laurent Koscieln and Sokratis are, but they stand alone in that regard.

We came into this season knowing that questions were going to be asked of this Arsenal defense, and that was when we still had Rob Holding healthy too. There just wasn’t a lot to invest hope in, what with Shkodran Mustafi being who he is and Sokratis not being the game-changing signing we expected.

Well, Sokratis was exactly the game-changing signing we needed, even if we didn’t expect it, but with Rob Holding down for the count, that still left the defense short-handed and in need of a difference maker.

I have to admit, after last season, I didn’t think Laurent Koscielny was going to be that guy. And yet, as his return inched closer and the defense kept forfeiting goals, I began to ask myself the question – could this all be the set-up to a grand Koscielny return?

Absolutely it was. Laurent Koscielny has done exactly what we should have expected him to do – he changed the defense, and he continues to change the defense. Honestly, that should have never been a surprise.

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It’s the difference between having two great defenders and one great defender, and what a difference it makes. We saw it again against Napoli, in case you needed any further proof that a team like Arsenal, if they want to compete at the top level, needs two great defenders. What a shocker.

When Koscielny was by himself, trying to hold together Mustafi and a budding Holding, it was porous. When Sokratis is back there trying to hold together Mustafi and Nacho Monreal, more of the same. But when you put Koscielny and Sokratis together, that defense is a completely different beast, and they’re a beast that I actually have complete confidence in.

But that’s what’s so dangerous about it. Both of these defenders are not 100% necessary. You can’t not have either one. So what happens as we go forward? How long can we nurse their greatness before we invest heavily in two more great defenders to take the reigns and, along those lines, will Rob Holding eventually be great, or will he top out at good?

I love what Koscielny and Sokratis can do together, but it’s keeping a steady reminder of just how fragile this defensive situation is. We have to, absolutely have to, invest in great defense.