Arsenal's Defensive Dilemma: Should Wenger Play Bacary Sagna in the Centre?

The past month is one of the most tortuous and horrible months Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger endured.

Not only because the Gunners were defeated in the Carling Cup final by Birmingham City, eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the fourth round and the FA Cup quarterfinals by Barcelona and Manchester United or that the North London giants lost significant ground on United in the English Premier League title race to go five points behind the leaders.

No, it was also because Wenger was forced to deal with injuries to key players in almost every match throughout the horrid few weeks.

The Frenchman had Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and key defender Johan Djourou succumbing to injury at some point throughout the month.

To have such a number of key players absent in a hectic schedule of football is not easy and, in truth, the Gunners showed superb character by such a young squad that was lacking leadership and experience.

However, the injury to Djourou was arguably the most influential, as the Swiss has been Arsenal's strongest and most consistent defender this season.

What's even more impressive the 24-year-old spent the entire last season, bar the final EPL game, nursing a serious knee injury.

Djourou's return has been a shinning light in the Arsenal season and regardless of whether silverware materializes or not, fans cannot deny that his establishment as one of the Premier League's strongest defenders has been superb.

Furthermore, the former Birmingham loanee formed a formidable partnership with Laurent Koscielny, who starred from December until his injury this month alongside mitigating the season-ending injury sustained by defensive leader Thomas Vermaelen in August.

But with Djourou absent until May, the conundrum of the central defence needs to be discussed for Wenger.

With Vermaelen sidelined too, Arsenal only boast two fit first-team centre halves and youngster Ignasi Miguel. Sebastien Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny, who both arrived in the recent summer, have struggled when paired together, rarely performing at a dominant level.

Squillaci, who joined from Spanish giants Seville for £3.2 million, has failed to cope with the tough pace and physicality of world football's toughest league and at the ripe age of 30, does not have time on his side.

Since being elevated back into the Arsenal starting XI due to Djourou's misfortune, the former Lyon defender has diminished his reputation further with some frail displays.

If Arsenal are to pose as a serious threat to United in the EPL title race, their defensive woes will need to be fixed and it is unlikely that Squillaci will offer them.

Wenger needs a reliable presence in the back line, so why not turn to his literal Mr. Reliable, Bacary Sagna?

Regarded as one of the most consistent and best right backs in world football, Sagna has been an ever-present and dominant force at right back for the Gunners since joining the Emirates in 2007 from French giants Auxerre.

Although predominantly a right back, where the Frenchman excels, Sagna has enjoyed time at centre back despite his nimble figure of 5'9". Although it seems like a rash option and an act of desperation from Wenger, as well as a morale diminish for Squillaci, the 28-year-old boasts great composure and speed which is lacking in the back line.

The French international possess deceptive strength and a solid header, which would ensure Sagna would refuse to get out-muscled by the bigger strikers. Meanwhile, at right back, Ivorian Emmanuel Eboue is a more than capable replacement.

Eboue's presence would ensure Arsenal maintain there usual attacking force and speed down the right flank whilst boasting a sufficient defensive right back. The Ivory Coast international has had limited opportunities this season, but has been strong when called upon.

The need for silverware is at an all time high for the Gunners.

The strongest squad needs to perform and there is no one in the Arsenal lineup, let alone Europe, who performs as strongly and consistently as Bacary Sagna.

Is it time for Wenger to utilize the Frenchman in the centre of defence?