By Fab4.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed today that the club are in need of defensive reinforcements but again stressed that they will not over-spend to rectify the situation.
With William Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikel Silvestre all out of contract this summer as well as doubts over the long-term fitness of Johan Djourou who is coming back from a serious knee injury, there is likely to be a lot of movement in the centre back area at Arsenal over the summer.
However, Wenger will not blow the budget for new signings or new deals.
“We are in need [in defence], yes of course,” said the manager.
“It depends as well on Gallas [contract talks] and how well Djourou comes back but of course we have a need there.
“But we always keep our policy. We manage within our resources and it is not because there is a bigger need that we will overpay the players, because we cannot.”
Of course Arsenal have been unlucky with injuries to defenders this season, in all areas of the pitch actually, but with Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas and Johan Djourou all out injured, Wenger is down to the bare bones at centre back.
To lose arguably your first 3 choice centre backs is unfortunate, as well as Alex Song who would no doubt have filled in had he been fit, and i actually think Arsenal are lucky to be able to call upon 2 very experienced players in Campbell and Silvestre to fill in.
However both are the wrong side of 30 and it’s unlikely both will be at Arsenal next year. With Wenger refusing to budge on the one-year deal policy for over 30’s its becoming more and more likely that Gallas will leave so that’s possibly 3 new centre backs required, one of which will need to be world class to replace Gallas. He will need to be ready to play straight away and not be a young up-and-comer, and world class players don’t come cheap.
Various names will be banded about all over the newspapers and internet but only Wenger knows what he will do and who he will buy. So sit back and enjoy the speculation, let’s just hope Arsene has learnt his lesson and doesn’t see ‘internal resources’ as the solution to our problems at the back come September. Another Thomas Vermaelen will do nicely!
Who should Arsenal buy in the summer? Leave your suggestions below…..
