Arsenal Target Coy On Future, But Do The Gunners Need The Ligue 1 Defender?

I’ve heard a lot about Arsenal’s defensive troubles, being a Gooner and all, and how Arsene Wenger needed to splurt a load of money on a top quality centre-half if we have any chance of challenging for the title. However, I’m not convinced. TalkSPORT are reporting that Sochaux full-back Sebastien Corchia is refusing to rule out a move to the Emirates in January, and I think this signing makes perfect sense. Here’s why.

Since Laurent Koscielny’s silly red card against Aston Villa on the opening day of the season, and Thomas Vermalen’s injury problems, it’s left us with just Per Mertesacker as the recognised centre-back. This is where the panic to buy a centre-back has stemmed from, and you can see why.

It has mean that right-back Bacary Sagna has slipped inside to the central area to partner the giant German while Carl Jenkinson occupies the full-back spot. Against Tottenham, Arsene Wenger finished the game with five defenders on the field, as you can see by the infographic.

While I rate Jenkinson, I’m also highly fond of Sagna at centre-back. His intelligence off the ball is second to none and he compliments Mertesacker’s rough and ready approach.

Corchia is still only 22 and is a cracking player. He has completed 69% of his duels so far in his four Ligue 1 appearances, while contributing seven defensive actions per game.

Should he be drafted into the squad in January then it would add the perfect balance to the defence. With Jenkinson and Corchia able to compete in the right-back berth, it gives us four remarkable central defenders in Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen and Sagna, while the latter can also cover Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal on the left.

Happy days.

Statistics and graphic provided by Squawka.