Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Why Wenger's Choice for Left Back Position Is a Gamble

Gael Clichy was the first player to depart from Arsenal in the current transfer window. Having spent eight years with the club, some Gunners fans felt sad to see the last player belonging to the invincible era leave.

Clichy, who was in his last year of contract with Arsenal, turned down a contract offered by Arsene Wenger. Hence, rather than lose him on a free transfer next year, Wenger decided to sell him. Manchester City provided the Exit route for Clichy from the Emirates by buying him for £7 million. 

After Clichy's departure, Wenger's choice of left backs for the 2011-12 season was a topic that was often discussed, with rumors linking Jose Enrique and a few more left backs with the Gunners.

Wenger silenced all those rumors by stating that he will not sign a new left back in this transfer window.

This leaves the Gunners with three players in their squad who can play at that position.

Keiran Gibbs

Keiran Gibbs is expected to fill in the shoes of the Clichy. Having joined the Gunners in 2004, he made his professional debut in 2007.

Last season, he made 20 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions (his highest in any season for Arsenal). For a backup, he made a good contribution last season.

Though he is an able replacement for Gael Clichy, his injury-prone nature is a serious cause of concern for Wenger. A metatarsal injury ruled him out for most of the 2009-10 season. 

Gibbs impressed in the preseason match against Malaysia XI. Though he may not be as fast as Clichy, he can maintain a better line than Clichy. His lack of experience is also a major area of concern, as he has made only 57 appearances over five seasons!

Clichy's backup was Gibbs. But when Gibbs takes the main spot, he cannot be expected to play the full season.

Thomas Vermaelen

"The Verminator", as he was fondly called by Arsenal fans, will be back to full-fledged action in the 2011-12 season. He missed most of the last season due to an Achilles injury he suffered during international duty.

He was used as a center back in the 2009-10 season, where he was an instant hit, making 45 appearances and scoring eight goals (compared to Torres' 10 goals in 44 matches).

The main reason why Vermaelen is considered for this position is because he played in the left back position for Ajax before moving to Arsenal. 

Being a left-footed defender, he usually plays as a left-sided center back, but can also be used as a left back.

With Wenger telling that Arsenal are not defensively weak, he may choose not sign a center back in this transfer window. If that is the case, then Vermaelen,Djourou and Koscielney (backed up by Super Squillaci of course) will form the central defense. Vermaelen's playing time as a left back will diminish, as he will be required at the center.

Armand Traore

The lesser known of the three left backs, Traore joined Arsenal in 2005.

After a productive loan spell at Portsmouth in 2008-09 in which he made 28 appearances and scored a goal, he spent the next season at Arsenal and the last season on loan at Juventus. While the loan move to Juventus was a great deal, he got only 12 starts throughout the season.

Wenger has included Traore in his next season's plans, as Gibbs and Traore are expected to fill in Clichy's boots next season.

Though Traore has some Premier League experience, he has played only 24 games in the past two seasons! Almost a game a month. So Traore cannot be relied as a first choice at left back.

Why Is This a Gamble?

The team has options at the left back position. One may then ask, why is this still a gamble? Here are my reasons:

With two relatively inexperienced left backs, Wenger may not know how they will perform in the coming season. Wenger can expect Gibbs and Traore to play an equal number of games as neither of these youngsters have a full season of experience.

Though both the players played well in the preseason match against Malaysia, what if they turn out to be flops? If Gibbs suffers from injuries the next season also, then Traore will be the lone left back.

The above reasons assume that the Verminator plays as a center back. If Vermaelen does play as a left back, then Koscielny and Djourou have to play in the central position (Wenger has not yet hinted at signing a defender).

Djourou is also injury-prone. If a few players get injured simultaneously, then Wenger will be out of options at the back.