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Would new defensive additions even solve Arsenal's problems?

For so long, the refrain has been in 'Arsene We Trust'. But as my Gooner father has oft repeated ...



Would new defensive additions...
Soccer

Would new defensive additions even solve Arsenal's problems?

For so long, the refrain has been in 'Arsene We Trust'.

But as my Gooner father has oft repeated in recent years 'You can't trust Arsenal.'

I cannot say that I watched their defeat to Manchester United with any sense of disbelief.

On our (hopelessly inaccurate) Team 33 Friday predictions show, I was pretty adamant that the Gunners would not win on Saturday evening, regardless of how many players Louis Van Gaal had missing.

And why wouldn't I back them? Based on everything I have seen in recent years against the traditional big teams, it is just apparent that however well Arsenal play, they will not come out on top when it matters.

Yes, they dominated an injury-ravaged United. But as so often happens, they were unable to land that killer blow.

But it is at the back where there is huge concern. The lack of a defensive signing has been clear for some time, both in numbers term and when it comes to quality. As the counter-attack snapshot for Wayne Rooney's goal showed, Nacho Monreal, who is a left-back by trade (and not even a good one at that according to my Team 33 colleague Joe Coffey) was left hopelessly exposed two on one.

But what that really points to is not a lack of defenders, but a lack of game management by the players on the pitch - and Arsene Wenger by extension.

Would a new centre-back or new defensive midfielder solve those problems? Not necessarily, unless it is the type of player that can take a team by the scruff of the neck and bring some organisation to bear so that when the ball is lost, the structure does not fall apart as it did against Anderlecht, Swansea and United.

Of course, there is one mitigating circumstance at the back in the shape of a Laurent Koscielny shaped hole.

The French centre-back has an excellent understanding with the less mobile Per Mertesacker and is much more potent at stepping forward and harrying the opposition, leaving his German colleague to hang back.

Of course, Koscielny would also be left scrambling if he was left two on one like Monreal was, as would almost all defenders.

And that is where greater defensive awareness and positioning as a team - especially at full-back - really kicks in to prevent teams getting at their soft underbelly.

Perhaps, Kieran Gibbs and Calum Chambers could take it in turns to venture forwards, with one tucking in to form a temporary back three when Arsenal have the ball. The knock on effect of that would disrupt the balance of the team no doubt at the other end, but it would also mean that they would be far less exposed in the channels on the break.

But the fact that the club's mentality has not really changed in that regard in recent years means evolution is not likely.

That being said, they are more than capable of going on the type of run that typically results in a Top Four finish, given the state of flux the teams behind Chelsea find themselves in.

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