Continuing the season preview, I’ve decided to skip the leave the midfield for last. You can read the first part in this post . Mostly because we have so many options in the middle yet still look short. So what is the outlook on our defence?

missing link or weakest link

Popular opinion seems to conclude that we need to sign a strong centre back and find a competent understudy at left back. I tend to agree with this assessment, however for all intents and purpose is seem that monsieur Wenger would beg to differ. So does Arsene know?

Goalkeepers - the last line of defence.

Almunia
When Arsene dropped Lehman after the second game last season, no one assumed the Almunia would emerge as first choice through the entire season. To his credit Almunia seized the opportunity presented to him and made the position his own, much like Flamini.

We all agree that he is a solid reliable keeper, I think the defence, and fans, now has confidence in him which always makes a difference.

We all will also agree that in so far as Almunia is reliable, he is not fantastic. He will hardly pull out the incredible save that can make the difference between an excellent keeper and a great one.

Fabianski
Youth and goalkeeping don’t usually go hand in hand, Fabianski is only 23 which is quite young in goalkeeping years. He hasn’t done much wrong in his first year at the club, even in the 5-1 loss to that team he was hardly to blame for the score line.
Physically he is quite capable, he may be young he has played a lot more than most goalkeepers at his age including. Winning the Polish championships and being twice voted goalkeeper of the year in a country where goalkeepers are more revered than strikers says a lot about his talents.
Wenger is very confident in his abilities, I think he can be a very good keeper…do you?

Vito Mannone
Another young goalie, a full 3 years younger than Fabianski, I’ve seen him make some stunning saves in the reserve leagues but also some silly mistakes.
He is third choice, will hardly see any playing time, he can suffice in the odd game but 20 is pushing it for a premier league goalkeeper.

Gallas, Toure, Clichy, and Sagna
I’ve put them together as there isn’t much to say, except that fully fit they are one of the best back four around. The question is what of the backup?

Eboue
This is where he belongs, as backup for Sagna. I have no idea why Wenger persisted with him on the wing when Sagna was injured. Playing Toure at RB and Eboue on the wing was just criminal.

I just hope Arsene does not persist with the Eboue-in-midfield experiment this season.

Hoyte
In as much as he is an Arsenal fan, I don’t think he is ready, looks nervous and lacking confidence. A loan spell might be what he needs.

Armand Traore
Whereas Clichy was always seen as a ready made replacement for Ashley Cole, we are in a situation now where there is no outstanding LB to replace Clichy when needed.
Traore is good but last season his progress seemed to have stalled, you get the feeling that he doesn’t really see himself as a leftback but more of a winger.
Strong, very quick, and good in attack defensively still needs to improve.

Keiran Gibbs
I had high hopes for him last season but he didn’t feature, played against Juventus as left back and looked the part. I am not sure if it was lack of choice or if Wenger might have plans for him as a leftback.

Johann Djourou
Many expected Djourou to overtake Senderos for the CB position, however that has not materialised. The loan spell at Birmingham did not work as we thought it would.
At 6′3″ he could solve some of our frailties at the back, unless there is some kind of major transformation he will remain behind Senderos.

Philippe Senderos
No one splits Arsenal fans as much as big Phil Senderos. Playing such a major part in Arsenal’s advance to the 2006 champions league finals and leading the stingiest defence in WC2006 big things were expected of Senderos in the 2006/2007 season.
Unfortunately a shoulder injury hampered his preparations and the Phillipe of 2006 never came back.
Our 2008 champions league campaign came to an end at Liverpool with Senderos being cast as the villain of the day, switching off at crucial times is a problem associated with him.
The manager again seems to have a confidence in the player that a lot of fans don’t share, it remains to be seen which Philippe shows up this season. I must confess here that I am one of the people that thinks he does not deserve the grief he gets.

The need to buy a centre back comes down to Senderos, a resurgence of the 2006 confidence will see Wenger vindicated otherwise we’re screwed.

Overall I think the loss of Clichy is a bigger worry than that of Gallas or Toure. Then again that’s just my opinion, have your say in the comments section.

Tags: Armand Traore, Arsenal FC, gallas, Johann Djourou, Philippe Senderos, season preview, Toure, Vito Mannone, wenger

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 at 13:05 and is filed under Football, Match previews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.