Arsenal Transfer News: Rumours on Defensive Options That Must Be Pursued

Arsenal’s dearth of defensive steel is costing them big time in the Premier League this season, and it’s vital that the club spends the requisite cash to shore things up at the back in the January window. 

Encouragingly, ahead of another surrender on the road—Martin Skrtel’s 97th-minute header snatched a point for Liverpool against the Gunners—Arsene Wenger hinted at spending some money on a defender in the January window, per Vaishali Bhardwaj of Metro:

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Arsenal paid £35million to sign Alexis Sanchez – the club’s current top scorer – from Barcelona in the summer and also splashed out a further £44million on Calum Chambers, Mathieu Debuchy and Danny Welbeck.

Despite Wenger receiving criticism from some quarters after failing to bolster his defence further before the season started, the Gunners boss has now admitted that should he find a suitable centre-back, he will ‘without any doubt’ table an offer.

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After the poor display at Stoke City, Arsenal were looking to follow up their 4-1 win over Newcastle United with another three points at a tough venue. But they were unable to prevent Skrtel from rising highest at a critical time of the match. A closer examination of their defensive effort will yield big concerns for Gunners fans, per Squawka Football:

It’s not an isolated incident either, and although Wenger is notoriously stubborn in his principles, defensive reinforcements are simply imperative in the January window. And when you consider their current problems at the back, it’s peculiar that the club turned down the chance to sign former Manchester United skipper Nemanja Vidic.

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That’s according to The Sun on Sunday (h/t Izzy Horsefield of the Express), who claims the Serbian was offered to the Gunners by Internazionale, but Arsenal rejected the chance to sign him. Vidic is enduring a difficult start to life in Serie A, but he’s used to the abrasive nature of the Premier League and would be a major upgrade at the heart of the current Arsenal back four.

It seems as though the former Red Devil is out of favour at Inter too, as noted here by writer Daniel Harris:

The tenacity Vidic has in his play may have waned slightly in recent years, but Arsenal should have jumped at the chance to sign a player as experienced as him. The fact that the Gunners turned down that option could point to other players being pursued behind the scenes, and it’ll be intriguing to see if Wenger purchases another centre-back in January.

Sadly for those associated with Arsenal, it’s not just at centre-back where they have problems. The lack of quality cover in all the defensive positions is clear, but the Sunday Telegraph reports that Tyrone Mings will be an £8 million January signing, giving Arsenal some effervescent and burgeoning back-up to Kieran Gibbs.

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The Ipswich Town man is enjoying a breakthrough campaign in the Championship, and it’s easy to see why Wenger is potentially a fan. Mings is physical, quick and has an appreciation of the game that surpasses his years—his ability to play as a left-back or centre-back is also something that the Arsenal boss will have in mind.

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In addition the defensive slots, the base of the midfield is currently being marshalled by the erratic Mathieu Flamini—and after his poor display at Anfield, it was brought into clear focus that the Gunners must add some fortitude to that area of the pitch too.

Morgan Schneiderlin would be a perfect addition, and according to the Daily Star Sunday (h/t Tyrone Marshall of The Mirror), the Gunners will do their utmost to tempt the Southampton man to the club in January and will launch a “monster bid.”

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As noted in Marshall’s piece, Arsenal and Tottenham pursued Schneiderlin with vigour in the summer, and while Saints cashed in on a host of their players, the Frenchman must have been deemed too important to sell. The club have been proven correct in their assessment, with the midfielder going on to enjoy an excellent start to the campaign.

Prior to Southampton’s 3-0 win over Everton, Now TV Sport provided us with an indication of just how vital Schneiderlin is to their cause:

The 25-year-old has a desirable marriage of attributes. His purpose and poise would improve the Arsenal midfield in spades, while his rangy somatotype would provide a presence in that area of the field that has long been lacking from this Gunners team. He may come at a cost, but at this juncture it would be money well spent for Arsenal.