Arsenal Transfer Talk: 4 Defenders Arsene Wenger Must Look At

Arsenal's defensive frailties are clear for all to see.

Defensive leader Thomas Vermaelen, probably the only "diamond in the rough" that is Arsenal's back line, has seen continuous stints on the sidelines, as a lingering injury retained last year seems to recur at the worst possible moments.

Both Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny seem decent, but lapses of concentration from the duo, as seen by Arsenal's latest shambolic displays at the back, are making fans question Arsenal's quality of defensive depth.

Johan Djourou seems to have faded down the pecking order, despite playing admirably last season, while Sebastian Squillaci has failed to impress during his tenure with the club.

What's worse is that the ever-reliable right-back Bacary Sagna now seems destined to miss out till February (minimum). Kieran Gibbs, the starter on the left, has endured a career plagued with knocks of his own, meaning that relying on him would sound disaster.

Andre Santos looks good for the part, but his tendency to streamline forward has left Arsenal exposed at the back on occasion.

This slideshow, highlighting four defenders the club should pursue, proposes the solution to Arsene Wenger's defensive dilemmas. 

Happy reading!

César Azpilicueta | RB

Marseille's Cezar Azpilicueta is undoubtedly an unknown to most English fans. But ask any avid La Liga or French Ligue 1 observer and you're likely to get a positive appraisal of this young right back.

Azpilicueta made his debut at the tender age of 18 when still plying his trade with former club Osasuna. In 2010, he completed a move to Ligue 1 giants Marseille. He's known for his pace, skill and versatility (he started his career as a midfielder). He also boasts an impressive skillset going forward, as he can whip in a pinpoint cross.

Azpilicueta would be a breath of fresh air for Arsenal and its fans, especially in the wake of yet another injury crisis at the club.

Ignazio Abate | RB, LB

Ignazio Abate, AC Milan's versatile defender, capable of playing on either side of the defence, is a defender Arsene Wenger would do well to look at. Given Arsenal's horrid injury record, which is yet again resurfacing, investing in a defender that can fill in for various positions is a genuine asset.

He is renowned for his quick sprints down the right wing and accurate crosses—another plus point for Arsenal as the team seems to continuously struggle when it comes to delivering the killer cross.

His speed would also prove an asset, as Arsenal like to play a high line, essentially meaning pace is required for defenders to be able to track back from well within the opponents' half.

Mamadou Sakho | CB

The fact that at the age of 21, Mamadou Sakho has already gone on to establish himself as PSG's captain, all the while making 100-plus appearances for the club, is quite indicative of the quality of the player himself.

Mamadou Sakho is tall, imposing and surprisingly quick for a big man—a plus point for any Arsenal defender as Arsene Wenger likes to deploy a defensive high line in most games. He is known for his leadership on the pitch, his tireless engine and hard tackling tendencies.

In all, a player that could fit in seamlessly next to Per Mertesacker when Thomas Vermaelen is out, or in Arsenal's preferred XI itself.

Martin Keown | Defensive Coach

Most Arsenal fans are aware of the fact that, during Arsenal's unprecedented run to the UEFA Champions League finals in 2006, the back line did not concede even a single goal until the finals.

There are very few fans, though, who are aware of the reason why an Arsenal team, generally known for leaking goals, held such stellar performances. The reason: Martin Keown.

Arsenal's legendary defender, who was working with Arsene Wenger as a defensive coach for the team that season, is attributed to be the key reason behind the success of a relatively inexperienced "new look" defence. That team prevented the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus and even Villareal from scoring in the run  to the finals.

When you consider the situation Arsenal's defence currently finds themselves in (dire straits), it's not hard to understand why so many fans are calling for Keown to return to Arsenal in a coaching capacity.