Defensively Speaking
Hot Seat For 1!
Well, with England and the United States back on their way home to nurse their wounds, I think it’s time that I began to really focus on the coming season. I half expect that there could be some activity picking up in the transfer window now that the the World Cup is more than half over.
Already there are rumblings that Arsenal have two players near to signing. Both of those players will fill in in areas where Arsenal was weakests last season – the defence. At the start of last season, actually before the start of the last season, there was so much unknown about the back four. Djourou would get hurt while on international duty for Switzerland. Arsene signed an unknown to replace Kolo Toure who went over to reap in some money from Manchester City. William Gallas was his usual self. Sagna and Clichy were about it on the full back side of things.
Well we found out alot about the virtual unknown that is Thomas Vermaelen. If he wasn’t the best signing of last season, he probably was one of the best. Simply put he put some steel back into the back four and was Arsenal’s strong man. He was questioned before he came on the pitch but from the minute the first whistle blew, the “Vermalenator” went work and didn’t stop until the last part of the season when he had suffered season ending injury.
William Gallas, surprisingly himself turned out for the part of the season he wasn’t injured an inspiration. Gone were the antics of the previous seasons and he seemed to focus on playing football and he availed himself well.
Finally, with injuries and a lack of real leadership on the team, Arsene went out and did something none of us ever thought he would do, he brought back a player. None other than Sol Campbell he who at the beginning of the season was in League 2 Notts County squad, was a January signing. Frankly, he may have been the best signing of that window because as injuries took their toll, Sol was called into action and very rarely did he seem to be out place on the squad.
The back four for most of the season actually availed itself well. Next to Chelsea that allowed the fewest shots on goal. They were very rarely bullied – with the exception of Chelsea. The real issue for Arsenal was the core of the defence – the keeper. Whether it was Manuel Almunia or Lukasz Fabianksi, there was no confidence that either could stop the shots that did get through. At one point before his “chest cold” Almunia had let in close to 50% of the shots he faced. While Fabianski didn’t let them in with the same frequency, the ones he did let in crushed the spirits of the team. Regardless of the keeper, the defenceive front had little confidence in the back stopper. When you don’t have that then you have issues. And when the goals went in behind Fabianksi or Almunia, the defence looked fractured.
Well here we are in the off season. It’s been kind of disrupted by the World Cup and Arsenal could very well be the most active player inthe transfer market. Depending on who read, the team has approximately £35 – £45 million for a transfer kitty. Arsenal have made on move already with much anticipated of Bourdeaux striker Marouane Chamakh coming in to add some size, skill and depth and more importantly cover to Van Persie up front.
The rest of the money is likely to be spent shoring up the defence. By all accounts, Manuel Almunia is going to be allowed to leave this summer. It looks like Mark Schwarzer is the desired keeper. Schwarzer has been a runner up in the UEFA Cup/Europa Cup twice. He has won the Football League Cup and been a runner up twice. He was the EPL player of the month in February 2010. If the signing happens it is clear that at his age – 37 – he is not the long-term solution but more likely the man who keeps the spot warm for Wojciech Szczesny. By all accounts the young pole has all the skills and is the keeper of the future at Arsenal. Schwarzer could come in for a couple of years. Szczesny can do the odd FA Cup and Carling Cup games and we can get a sniff if the hub bub is true. And in the mean time we also get a keeper who has won before at other levels, is still fairly consistent and let’s face it – better than our current first team options.
Additionally, our three old timers, Gallas, Silvestre, and Campbell are all out of contract. Campbell has a 1 year deal on the table but he also has a two year deal from Celtic out there. Frankly, I think Sol, will sign for Arsenal. He owes Arsene for giving him another chance when it is likely he wouldn’t have gotten one. Celtic are coming after him because Arsene gave him a shot. Gallas is being his petulant self and turned down the offer from Arsenal. He has been cut loose and is free to find a deal. Problem is that his demands seem high and he already has had Juventus turn him down. Silvestre – well let’s just say he’s gone.
Size to go with grit?
Coming in right now to replace some of the cast aways, looks like Laurent Koscielny the 24, 6 ft 1in CB from FC Lorient. The two clubs seem to be in serious negotiations and the recent loan of Coquelin to Lorient seems to be an attempt to get french outfit to accept the offer from Arsenal – that and a negotiated youth development agreement. Arsene rates the youngster highly. And given Le Professeur’s vast knowldege of French footballers that should be a good sign.
Additionally, it looks like there are other defenders that the club is interested in. Apparently Arsenal have approached Everton about Phillip Jagielka, only to be rebuked. However, Everton are out of the European picture and could use the money. So there may be something. Either way it does look like Arsene is serious about rebuilding his defence. Let’s hope he gets it right.
