Arsenal: Seriously, how long will this defense last?

Arsenal’s defense was at fault yet again, and it is my duty to ask, yet again, how long we’re going to trust this defensive duo?

Arsenal surrendered two first-half goals and neither was particularly pretty. And while the second was an obvious flub by Granit Xhaka, it’s not like Sokratis and David Luiz were upstanding defenders on the day. Anything but.

Even as I write this, I’m still seeing Sokratis run forward from his position to compete for an aerial that his teammate was already competing for. Which left David Luiz as the lone defender at the back, which Luiz should never be.

It was another match where there was just no confidence in that back line. Every single counterattack felt dangerous because of Sokratis and Luiz and their inability to handle the oncoming pressure. And sure, they weren’t helped out much by the midfield, but this isn’t the first time we’ve seen them struggle.

Luiz struggled in the previous two matches, and while he didn’t make any glaring mistake like he did against Liverpool or Burnley, he’s just not the defense help we can count on.

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Sure, he’s a decent stopgap that can help us transition. But that really only works when you don’t have any other options. I bet you can all see where this is going now. Because like Luiz, Sokratis is continuing to prove that he isn’t at the top of the composure pile either. His attempt to win that aerial duel is just another jewel in the crown.

Calum Chambers is sitting on the bench, watching these mistakes happen. He has to be wondering what he can do to earn the spot that he should have never lost in the first place. Each and every match we see more and more head-scratching decisions from these two “experienced” centerbacks.

Being experienced only makes sense if you don’t make those mistakes, right?

And with Rob Holding due back, is it really too early to start making way for what will be a superior set-up? If you don’t think it is that, than know that it provides an alternative to the consistent uneasiness that we currently feel every time these two are on the pitch together. I think we can all agree on that.

Luiz may play the ball well and Sokratis may be a gritty guy, but it’s not working. And the sooner we can accept that and try something else, the better.