Arsenal accountability: The questions and the mistakes

Arsenal’s Defense Is Riddled With Mediocrity

As for the defense, how has it come to include Rob Holding, Cedric Soares, Pablo Mari, and Calum Chambers? None of them have proven that they are good enough to be starting for Arsenal.

Soares joined on loan from Southampton in January 2020 and then inexplicably was given a long-term contract.  Mari initially arrived at Arsenal on loan from Brazilian side Flamengo with an option to buy. He was Arteta’s first signing as the Gunners’ manager.

Last summer the club decided to give contract extensions to Soares and Mari as well as the now-departed David Luiz. Upon making the announcement, Arsenal technical director Edu said, “I am really happy that we will have these players in our squad for the future. They have been part of the long-term technical plan Mikel and I have developed. They bring the right balance to our squad.”

In reality, Arsenal’s only current reliable defender is Kieran Tierney. Time will tell whether recent signings, Gabriel, Ben White, and Nuno Tavares will become solid additions.

Continued…