Arsenal Transfer News: Why Wenger Needs to Sign an English Centre Back

There are a few reasons why Arsenal needs to sign an English centre back, but first let's point out which English centre backs are good enough.

The obvious choice is Gary Cahill and I strongly agree he would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal. He is good in the air, strong and he doesn't mess about. He could well be the man to fix Arsenal's set piece horror shows. I mean imagine it, Cahill and Vermaelen, those two, both young, could create a wall in front of Sczeszny. But we will have to wait and see if Wenger will actually listen to most fans.

The next choice is Michael Dawson. Yes, he does play for Tottenham, which is enough to make you say no already, but hear me out. We signed Sol Campbell from Tottenham and he was recently voted as one of the two centre back's on Arsenal.com's "Greatest XI." I'm not saying he is anywhere near as good as the great Sol Campbell, but yet again is good in the air, committed and doesn't mind a challenge. And with contract talks "apparently" having some issues, he could be available cheaply.

Next up, Phil Jagielka. This man has been linked with a move to Arsenal for the past million years and every year we hear the same thing that Arsene Wenger is a long term admirer of Jagielka, and every year, nothing happens. But this man is one of the main reasons Everton does as well as they do. He is tall, strong and doesn't have a bad shot either. I wouldn't mind seeing this guy next to Vermaelen, but I would worry about his proneness to injuries.

Yes, there are some more English centre backs who have been linked with Arsenal such as Scott Dann, but in all fairness, I don't believe they're up to standard.

Anyway, the main reasons Arsenal needs an English centre back are simple.

1) Take a look at all the top teams defences, Man United have Ferdinand, Chelsea have Terry, Manchester City have Lescott. All English defenders in the heart of their defence. It's the same in other countries, Barcelona have Pique AND Puyol, A.C Milan have Nesta, etc etc.

The last time Arsenal won a trophy, we had Campbell in defence. Since then, we haven't won a thing. We've bought centre backs and only Vermaelen turned out to be a good buy, but indeed he is one of the best buys Arsene has done of late.

2) The English players are in general more committed than foreign players. I'm not saying this is true with all players because the perfect example of committed in the Premiership is Robin van Persie, he is a true loyal player and there are many others.

But our most committed player this season was Wilshere, an Englishman. It just seems English players want to win the Premiership more than most. They have grown up watching the English game and when presented with opportunity to win it, they go for it.

We need the English backbone Chelsea and Manchester United have. I believe our midfielders and forwards are the best in the league without a doubt. But our defence I wouldn't even put in the top five.

3) Our best ever centre backs: Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Sol Campbell, Steve Bould. These were guys who didn't mess about, did their job, cleared anything that came their way without even a second's thought.

I hope Arsene Wenger does buy a centre back, if not two. But at least one needs to be English, and it really does need to be Gary Cahill.