Arsenal Transfer Prospect: Could Dutch Defensive Duo Be Just What Wenger Needs?

The summer was a tremendously stressful and active period for Arsene Wenger. After Arsenal 2009/2010 campaign came to a close without the respectability or satisfaction of a trophy for the fifth consecutive season, the Frenchman vowed to implement changes into his youthful squad to bolster Arsenal silverware promise.

Wenger was eager to restore quality into the defensive line and began by releasing experienced centre halves, William Gallas, Philippe Senderos, Sol Campbell, and Mikael Silvestre. The five defenders boasted over a thousand Premier League games between one and other. 

The departure of a handful of defenders ensured the backline was in need of restocking prompting the French mastermind to sign Laurent Koscienly from French side Lorient FC for £10 million and Sebastien Squillaci from Spanish giants Seville for £4.2 million on the final day of Summer.

This ensured centre half combination of leader Thomas Vermaelen, new French pair Koscienly and Squillaci, injury-prone Johan Djourou, and young gun Havard Nordtveit, with Alexandre Song an emergency backup.

So far this season the Arsenal defensive line has been relatively solid despite the shock loss to West Bromwich Albion which is destined to come back and hurt Arsenal during the dying stages of the season. Injuries have somewhat weakened the back four at times but their is a heavy showing of promise and stability.

However, the Arsenal central defensive ranks still feels slightly frail and understrength, lacking one or two more quality presences which prompts the exploration of possible candidates Arsene Wenger could look to in the January Transfer window. Two players that stand tall, literally and figuratively, are Dutch defensive duo Joris Mathijsen and John Heitinga. 

1. Joris Mathijsen - Hamburg SV

The 30-year-old is a strong, imposing, experienced defender who would bring added strength and height to the Arsenal squad. Mathijsen is a natural leader, who has been a outstanding performer for German giants Hamburg SV.  

Having endured a successful World Cup with the Dutch, the former AZ Alkmaar hardman would be eager to a move elsewhere, especially to one of the best leagues in Europe. The prospect of playing Champions League football would also be an added enticement.

Mathijsen control and physicality enable him to thrive in the tough atmosphere of English football as well as making it easy for him to adapt to the fast Arsenal play. Alongiside those traits the extra depth and added competition implemented to the other Arsenal defenders is a glaring incentive for Wenger to pounce on Joris Mathijsen.

2. John Heitinga - Everton

The consistent defender has thrived in the Premier League since joining Everton last season from Atletico Madrid. Fast, powerful and intelligent, the 26-year-old has been a superb performer for the Netherlands as well as boasting a strong recent World Cup campaign.

With Everton succumbing to a horror start to their season with not a single win in their first six encounters, a January switch for the former Ajax defender could look incredibly appealing. There were several rumors linking Heitinga away from Everton in the summer with Arsenal one of the interested parties. 

The Dutch international would help stabilize the backline as well as inducting better pace and control along with composure. Although the price tag set by David Moyes does loom a problem, if the Merseyside club continue to falter than Moyes may little choice.

The upcoming encounter with Chelsea could easily change the views of the defensive ranks or it could harm them severely. However there are so many options available should the problem worsen.