January Transfer Prospects: What Arsenal Is Looking for in a Center Back

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has confirmed that he has started looking at center backs who could join the team, as Thomas Vermaelen has suffered a setback in his rehabilitation. He picked up a serious Achilles injury in September, and it’s said that he will be out for another six weeks. Adding to Arsenal's defensive woes, center back Sebastien Squillaci picked up a hamstring injury that will keep him sidelined for the next 2-3 weeks.

That leaves Arsenal with only two fit center backs for at least the rest of this month, and Wenger still feels that Djourou is not fit enough to start multiple matches in one week.

According to the Arsenal Official Website, Wenger has "scoped out" the type of centre back he is looking to sign. The injuries to both Vermaelen and Squillaci have forced Wenger to look for reinforcements during the January Transfer Window. Arsenal does have "internal solutions," but it seems that they will be used as a last resort.

Wenger said, "We have solutions internally with Ignasi Miquel, with Alex Song who can play centre back and with Squillaci, who should come back very quickly."

Arsene has an idea of what kind of player he wants to buy, and has already started looking. "Ideally it would be better if they were adapted to English football," he said. "If you need players now in January then you cannot wait three months before they can play. If the opportunity turns up we will fetch it but, if not, I believe we can cope."

This should make many Arsenal fans happy. Some say that what Arsenal really needs is a defender who is familiar with the physical style of play that prevails in the Premier League.

It’s good to know that Wenger has kept to his promise and is looking for a center back to buy this January. He says, "We always have people in mind and we check them out. We look everywhere. It’s difficult to find [them] at this period of the season but overall I feel at the moment we have so many games that it’s very important just to focus on the next one."

But he mentions some difficulty that there is when trying to acquire new players during this transfer window, saying, "If we find somebody at the right level we will do it, if not we will continue like this." If Arsenal are forced to play Song out of position or rely on Reserve players, their title prospects are in serious trouble.

Now we know what Wenger is looking for this January. Who would be the best fit for Arsenal considering Arsene's requirements?

The most popular players linked with Arsenal who fit Arsene's standards are Cahill and Samba, who else might be a good option for Arsenal?