So what happens when one of those players is not available? Let us start with Laurent Koscielny as he has had big problems with an achilles problem. Summer signing Calum Chambers is our next centre back in line but obviously with the injury of Debuchy he has been needed at right back, it will be interesting to see who Arsène turns to at centre back now that the Frenchman is back. I say that because Calum Chambers plays very much in the mold of Per Mertesacker. The stopper role, winning headers and holding his position while Laurent Koscielny would be the player to put pressure on the striker and dispossess the ball. When we have seen Per and Calum together this season they have not really clicked as a partnership

Centre back hunt

The transfer window is almost here already, it only seemed like yesterday when we were signing Danny Welbeck on deadline day. It should have been a day for nothing but cheers but instead we were left with mixed emotions. The players who had registered with the club were all impressive and seemed to fit into the club perfectly. Yet we missed out on players in certain positions that we looked light in.

You don’t need me to explain which areas of the pitch this is, every Arsenal fan in the world knows that we are in need of another center back and a defensive midfielder.

Arsène was clearly in the mood for trying his luck. He was probably spending his evening’s on MajesticSlots.co.uk instead of searching for defenders. I bet he and Steve Bould were dabbling in a bit of Blackjack and if Bould won the best of five then he would buy a centre back, if Arsène won then we would go all in for a striker. It looks like Arsène had a 10 and Jack.

As the window is in sight I thought I’d have a quick glance at what we have already and which players we are linked with.

Let us start at centre back

The undisputed pairing at Arsenal is Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, the duo have developed a very strong understanding. Not only that but both players seem to compliment each other very well and both players minimize the others weakness.

So what happens when one of those players is not available? Let us start with Laurent Koscielny as he has had big problems with an achilles problem. Summer signing Calum Chambers is our next centre back in line but obviously with the injury of Debuchy he has been needed at right back, it will be interesting to see who Arsène turns to at centre back now that the Frenchman is back. I say that because Calum Chambers plays very much in the mold of Per Mertesacker. The stopper role, winning headers and holding his position while Laurent Koscielny would be the player to put pressure on the striker and dispossess the ball. When we have seen Per and Calum together this season they have not really clicked as a partnership.

In Koscielny’s absence Arsène has had to turn to back up left back Nacho Monreal. While everyone was shitting bricks about having to use him there, the Spaniard has played pretty well for the most part, often out performing the experienced Mertesacker.

But Monreal has his weaknesses. He is not strong in the air and is not as physically impressive as Koscielny when it comes to the important duels.

So on paper we don’t need to go out and buy Chris Samba. *chuckles* We are going to need a mobile, quick, aggressive defender who can stride out from the back with the ball at his feet is needs be. Not only this but they are going to have to be able to pass the ball well under pressure to find our midfielders.

What players have we been linked with?

Winston Reid is coming to the end of his contract and does not look like signing on anytime soon. Arsène has had the player on his radar for sometime now but while West Ham are doing well they won’t want to lose him on the cheap this January. It will be interesting to see if we push hard for him.

Virgil Van Dijk is a 23 year old Dutch centre back who has been turning heads in recent seasons. We were said to be sniffing around in the summer but the deal just did not happen.

Being Dutch it is not a surprise to learn that he is technically very good. Strikes a decent free kick and all. Looks like a Koscielny back up if I’ve ever seen one.

Mats Hummels is probably a player on most clubs radar in world football. The German has everything in that locker of his. He would be great given that he has played with the other Germans in our squad. Great on the ball, quick across the floor, powerful in the air. But his transfer fee would make us cry as I assume would be his wages given the competition. Basically this one isn’t happening.

I’m sure we have our fingers in plenty more pies and hopefully we will get something done next month. With Koscielny’s injury we really need to.

I’ll be talking defensive midfielders in the next related article.

Up the Arsenal.