Arsenal defenders: Who stays and who is sold?

After the horrific opening day defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Brentford, some of the anger and annoyance has subsided in and around Arsenal, albeit just a little.

Goals from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard were enough to sink a sorry Arsenal side that had two months to prepare for the onslaught that every football person on the planet knew was coming. Would Arsenal be pressed high and will the goalkeeper be forced into errors? You betcha.

Yet, as Arsenal often do, they were woefully unprepared and outfought by a team that simply wanted it more.

Sure, some could argue the scoreline could have been different had Thomas Partey, Gabriel, Alexandre Lacazette and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang been in the side but truthfully, the lineup Mikel Arteta put out had more than enough quality to get a positive result.

Arsenal defenders: Who should stay and who should be sold in the transfer window as summer deadline draws close

Too often under Arteta’s reign, the defense has been a shambles and that is putting it lightly, even if in terms of the numbers there has been an improvement on the previous boss.

On Friday night the entire Arsenal defence – minus Kieran Tierney and in some parts of the game Ben White – were well beaten. Players at sea, combinations a mess and a lack of general quality.

Often made to look second-rate with Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers the main culprits, with two weeks to go until the transfer window closes, which defenders should stay at Arsenal and which ones should go?

If indeed any can be moved on.

Keep 5 – Ben White, Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding, Gabriel, Nuno Tavares

Only five defenders, you say?

Truth be told it could very well be just four, but Rob Holding has shown he can play rather well in low-block systems and not like someone who is being controlled by a PlayStation controller.

Ben White is class and the whole fanbase knows it. Yes, he did have a not-so-good debut game but he wasn’t alone. Cool and calm on the ball, Arteta isn’t going to spend £50m on a player and not give him a go. As for Tierney, he is Arsenal’s best attacking outlet, which says it all really.

He is a left-back who produces so much for his side, both defensively and offensively. Was clearly the Gunners’ Man of the Match against Brentford and is nailed on to be the next captain of the club.

Nuno Tavares, like White, has shown promise and in the short time he was on the pitch against Brentford as Arsenal looked a slightly better team going forward down the right-hand side.

Now, our Brazilian. Clearly, Arsenal’s best centre-back, and that includes White. Over time the two will most likely be the partnership Arteta goes with should keep his job by the time he returns to the team after the coming international break.

Gabriel started life in north London superbly and was often the rock at the back Arsenal have needed for decades. He is the modern central defender in every way and linking up with White is something every Gunners fan is looking forward to.

Continued…

Sell 5 – Pablo Mari, Hector Bellerin, Cedric, Sead Kolasinac, Calum Chambers

These five basically pick themselves, right? Some might say Cedric is a little unlucky but while proved he can fill in as an ok right-back, his age and the fact that he is often found wanting means Arsenal needs a bonafide option. Cedric is supremely 5/10 at most aspects.

Calum Chambers filled in well enough at stages last campaign, but his Premier League showing on Friday night was the final straw for many. Nuno Tavares could very well grab a starting debut against Chelsea in Arsenal’s next league game as he looked a much better threat going forward, making a series of exciting under and overlapping runs in his short time on the field.

Hector Bellerin has never been the same since his ACL injury, which sadly is just the way it goes with players sometimes. Too many mistakes at the back, highlighted by his pass in pre-season against Chelsea which found its way to Tammy Abraham to slot past Bernd Leno, poor defending in transition and minimal attacking output are just a few of the reasons he needs shifting. Arsenal has been trying hard to move on the Spaniard but so far, no luck.

Pablo Mari is another one who if an offer came in, Arsenal should take. He did have great spells last season but if Arsenal truly wants to improve defensively, then surely, he is not a part of the equation.

On Friday night, William Saliba would have been sitting back thinking he could have coped better. The 19-year-old is clearly a better option than a host of centre-backs Arsenal have and would be a great backup to Gabriel and Ben White. His ability to play at either side of central defence adds even more to the allure.

In an ideal world, all five players would be moved on this window. However, the reality is, most if not all will be with the team come September 1. One thing is for certain, improvements must be made and after Friday night’s effort, reinforcements have to come in before Arsenal play Chelsea.

If not, then Arteta will be in a perilous situation. He already is.