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Paul Merson: Arsenal need a presence of a centre half, an organiser

Written by Jeffrey on April 27, 2011 – 4:45

Arsenal Interactive - Player RatingsPaul Merson

Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes the Gunners need to sign a centre back during the summer’s transfer window.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Englishman explained that an organiser is needed at the heart of the Arsenal defence as he added that the Gunners are not far away although a “little bit of tweaking here and there” is needed if they are to be a real threat during the 2011/2012 campaign.

With 13 goals conceded at home and 23 on the road, Arsenal’s defence is the worst in Premiership’s Top Four this season with manager Arsene Wenger saying last season that “when you concede 40 goals you don’t win the championship and I want to rectify that”.

With Thomas Vermaelen finally over all his injury problems, Arsenal will have the Belgium International, Johan Djourou, Sebastien Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny all available for next season with reports suggesting that England’s Gary Cahill could join from Bolton Wanderers.

On what Arsenal need, Merson said:

They need a presence of a centre half, an organiser. There’s not a million things to do, just a little bit of tweaking here and tweaking there and that would be the difference between them being a real threat next season.

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  • Aussie Gooner Dave says:
    April 27, 2011 at 10:47

    Parlour Keown Merson Adams Wilson Graham Robson Vierra…these are not just blokes in the pub with an ill-informed opinion, these are true Arsenal legends that all have the same thoughts as the supporters…bring in some steely experience or don’t bother showing up next year. If I’ve got to sit through another year like this and the one before and the one before that, hari kari could be on the cards.

    Reply to this comment »
  • alex says:
    April 27, 2011 at 5:25

    I never understood why Samba wasn’t signed in January. A massive bloke, very strong who can head the ball. A captain at Blackburn and who most importantly for Wenger was going for free and probably on fairly low wages.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Hunter says:
      April 27, 2011 at 18:09

      Because Arsene has turned from genius to idiot in the space of the last 5 years. Makes absolutely no sense. Instead of getting us a presence in the back he got us 2 crap French defenders who are nowhere near the standard we need.

      Just to rub a little salt in the wound he paid twice as much for Koscielny as he would have for Samba. If there are not MAJOR changes made in the first few weeks of the transfer window Arsene needs to go. I’m done with his stubbornness. He has gone from one of the best evaluators of talent to a person who can’t evaluate the talent in his own squad properly.

      Reply to this comment »
  • cin says:
    April 27, 2011 at 6:09

    Arsenal need minimum three good players. Arsenal is not having commanding power in all position.
    Not only in defence. Arsenal need a good striker. And a super midfielder to defense and attak.
    And Arsnal need a good free kick taker.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Charlie says:
    April 27, 2011 at 6:28

    Everyone is saying the same thing but i don’t think that’s the whole story. I think we need a new Left Back too because Clichy is becoming error-prone. There’s this guy Sakho at PSG who was captain of their team at 17, became a full French international at 20, is now 20yo and is being likened to Lillian Thuram. I actually think he’ll be an Arsenal player, we’ve been linked enough times. He’s a determined and vocal defender with a high work rate and his versatility of being able to play in two positions where Arsenal are weak makes him a good fit. Apparently Arsene bid 13m for him recently but PSG are holding out for 17m. If PSG don’t qualify for the CL he’ll be more willing to leave. There will be groans if he’s bought of “not another young Frenchman” but if he has the right amount of talent and the right attitude who cares where he comes from.

    Reply to this comment »
    • SeattleGooner says:
      April 27, 2011 at 6:53

      Yes! Someone else who likes Sakho. I was really hoping for him last summer bit instead got Kozzer and Squilly. If clichy goes (hopeful) sign Cahill AND Sakho. Between Vermaelen, Gibbs, Sakho and koscielny, let them fight over Left back. Center-back can be Cahill and Vermaelen/Sakho, with Djourou/koscielny backup. THATS a solid sounding defense.

      Reply to this comment »
      • SeattleGooner says:
        April 27, 2011 at 7:02

        Ideally for next year, the back lime wouLd look like:

        Sagna-Cahill-Sakho-Vermaelen

        With subs:
        Eboue
        Koscielny
        Gibbs
        Djourou

        Maybe even give Traore a go, if he doesn’t make juventus his permanent home.

        Reply to this comment »
        • Hunter says:
          April 27, 2011 at 7:40

          I would love to have Taiwo at left back and we could get him on a free in the summer. But since he is a big strong guy Arsene probably won’t go for him since it seems he won’t get any players over 5′6″ in the squad these days.

          Reply to this comment »
          • Jason says:
            April 27, 2011 at 9:19

            I thought Taiwo is already tied with a deal with Benfica after this season? No?

            Reply to this comment »
            • Hunter says:
              April 28, 2011 at 14:30

              Nope, undecided still according to the newspapers.

              Reply to this comment »
        • Charlie says:
          April 27, 2011 at 8:21

          Looks good. Haven’t seen enough of Cahill to know for sure but we need someone who possesses all the basic defensive skills but is particularly dominant at set pieces, vocal, determined and pacey (because Arsenal play with a high line). It’ll mean a lot of money being spent on the defense but i think we can sell about 8 players and there should still be plenty more to spend on a new target man striker. I also think we need another defensive midfielder to challenge Song but that depends a lot on how good Frimpong is. Wenger had enough faith in him to name him in the first team squad this year.

          Reply to this comment »
      • PADDY THE GUNNER says:
        April 27, 2011 at 11:21

        LOVE IT,THAT WOULD BE SOME REAR LINE,,,,COULD DO WITH A MIDFIELD ENFORCER,……….

        Reply to this comment »
    • Aussie Gooner Dave says:
      April 27, 2011 at 10:49

      Clichy is a liability, only problem is Gibbs has been awful when given a chance this season

      Reply to this comment »
  • John Muhindo says:
    April 27, 2011 at 7:47

    The coach wenger is the problem for the club not winning trophies because of his philosophy. Manchester is far ahead of arsenal now if you watch the way they keep their lead. They play with an aim to win not matter of entertaining.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Ashish Koshy says:
      April 27, 2011 at 8:11

      Please don’t compare other teams like Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool with Arsenal! Manchester Utd. might be a good club in terms of experienced players, but they’re also one of the most hated! Playing football with an aim to win is absurd.. I’d rather not have a trophy by playing agressive and boring football!!

      Reply to this comment »
      • Aussie Gooner Dave says:
        April 27, 2011 at 10:52

        What happened to the ol’ 1 nil to the Arsenal.

        Reply to this comment »
      • Paddy O'Neill says:
        April 27, 2011 at 12:36

        I liked the 1nil to the Arsunal – it really got up the noses of opposing teams, they knew that when Arsenal scored Adams and Co shut up shot – time to go home. Now when Arsenal are 4-0 up the other team comes out in the second half and thinks “we got a chance of something here”.

        Reply to this comment »
      • Uz says:
        April 27, 2011 at 17:23

        Ashish Koshy,its better to play aggressive and win trophies than play scintillating football and win nothing for 6 years!
        mate did you just wake up or what?

        Reply to this comment »
  • petrearsenal says:
    April 27, 2011 at 7:57

    i dont think that Cahill is the best choice for arsenal…Wenger Must sign strong deffenders like metsaker N neven subotic…gourcuff n karim benzema..marteen stekelenberg is the best keeper for arsenal…

    Reply to this comment »
  • hashthe trash says:
    April 27, 2011 at 8:01

    Gave up since the transfer window closed in January and we all know this team doesn’t exudes confidence, only pretences and we know their fragility. I think Arsene knows this but for some reason he thinks he can get away with it by sheer luck. As proven, luck has got nothing to do with winning the championship!!!!

    Reply to this comment »
  • quanvu says:
    April 27, 2011 at 8:10

    get Stanton of Inter to replace poor crossing sagna. i still love too see Melo in the team ,look at what he did in Brazil team.

    Reply to this comment »
  • bearwoman says:
    April 27, 2011 at 9:15

    I feel Arsenal need a physical presence both in defence and attack.Then these guys will be hard to shake off the ball or pushed aside.The gunners used to have a team of XL players.Since then Wenger has gone for technical players mostly below 180 cm
    For the last five years Arsenal have been conceding many goals from set pieces and corners.
    This is criminal and unacceptable if the gunners want to challenge especially for trophies.You don’t find top teams with conceding these type of goals.
    Imho,this is due tto the cavalier attitude of the gunners team.After taking the lead so many times they are pegged back. Why?IT is the all out attacking style of Wenger. He is adamant his style will carry the day. Unfortunately the gunners have not only been pegged back but beaten as well. The biggest fiasco was the 4-4 draw with NU.Any team with a four goal lead
    should be able to see it out. Theother was the two goal lead against Wigan. The gunners wwere beaten 3-2.
    This is unacceptable .Wenger should be 100% responsible. He better know his one way ie attack is going to cause more heartache for the gunners.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Aussie Jack says:
    April 27, 2011 at 9:17

    I get the feeling many of Arsenal`s problems are being swept under the carpet. I`m a believer in retaining the nucleus of the squad, there are some 25 players, and where possible (contracts permitting) replacing the deadwood. It could be called `tweaking` but a big `tweak`…

    Allowing for two or three coming up from the academy it would appear we need to lose five and buy two, now that can`t be so bad can it. Much will depend on Fabregas, if he goes then we buy three and promote only two. If we buy only two it must be a defender (al a Cahill) and a clinical striker (Mr X). Players aside we need an assistant to Wenger who is a motivator and someone who will look Wenger in the eyes. He also has some learning to do.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Paddy O'Neill says:
      April 27, 2011 at 12:40

      What about Ray Wilkins, he’s free

      Reply to this comment »
  • karis says:
    April 27, 2011 at 9:36

    The main problem lies not in defence, midfield or attack. The problem is with the coach. He is supposed to fix the problems but he has so far failed and i dont see him giving up on what he beleives this summer. Some fans got frustrated long time ago but now i sense a mutiny among some players. Eventually wenger has to give in or else he leaves.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Charlie says:
    April 27, 2011 at 9:45

    Here’s an extract from a report of Arsenal 0 – 3 Chelsea last season, and i think it bears true today…..

    “the average age of the Arsenal starting line-up was 25 years, five months — three years younger than Chelsea; the average height of the Arsenal team was one metre 73 centimetres (5ft 8in), 5 centimetres shorter than Chelsea; the average weight of the Arsenal team was 73 kilograms, 10kg lighter than Chelsea.”

    For those use to the metric system 5cm is 2 inches and, as all the girls tell me, it would make all the difference. All three stats show a major discrepency and this was a year that Chelsea won the league. No matter what style you play your team will always be susceptible at set-pieces if you are shorter, lighter and less experienced than your opposition.

    Back to Sakho, he’s 1m87cm and 83kg of muscle. Cahill is 1m88cm but only 72kg surprisingly. Samba is a giant at 1m93cm and 91kg.

    but what difference would that make, right ?

    Reply to this comment »
  • Charlie says:
    April 27, 2011 at 10:10

    What i don’t understand is Wengers’ thinking with Squillaci and Koschielny. He’s known to study statistics very closely so bearing in mind that he had possibly the smallest team in the league why go out and buy two relatively short and light defenders and why follow that up the next year by declaring interest in another in Cahill. Djourou is less than 6′ tall, although of quite big build, and Vermaelen is also less than 6′. I’m taller than them, i consider myself of average height and part of my job is not to jump for high balls against the likes of Peter Crouch.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Ryan says:
      April 27, 2011 at 15:02

      Oh my god, did you just say Djourou is less than 6 feet tall? Ha i think you need to watch Arsenal play and know the players before you start dissecting the team.

      Reply to this comment »
  • Charlie says:
    April 27, 2011 at 10:49

    I’ll tell you who we need, if WBA get relegated we should make them an offer they can’t refuse for Jonas Olsson. He was a rock for them when they played us, especially against the high balls.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Ian says:
    April 27, 2011 at 11:52

    Give us a captain, even if Fab stays. I haven’t seen any comments on it, but did anyone notice the introverted scowl (hmmm….my father would have called it ’sulking’) on Fab’s face throughout the match? He isn’t leading.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Charlie says:
    April 27, 2011 at 12:28

    True. His performance has dropped and his face has dropped just as he needed to inspire the team. We need a captain who thrives under pressure and adversity, not one who sulks.

    Reply to this comment »
  • cheese says:
    April 27, 2011 at 13:35

    DANIEL DE ROSSI AND FABIO COENTRAO!

    Reply to this comment »
  • jamie says:
    April 27, 2011 at 14:07

    ciani from bourdeux maybe option and a great option mertesacker at werder bremen

    Reply to this comment »
  • jamie says:
    April 27, 2011 at 14:14

    shay given one of the best goalkeepers in the world get him first signing and fernando llorente

    Reply to this comment »
  • Ryan says:
    April 27, 2011 at 15:29

    I watch every single Arsenal game start to finish and i like to think i know the players pretty well. The fact we’ve been missing Vermaelen all season (he played 3 games) has been a huge miss. He is our Vidic, our Terry, how would Man Utd and Chelsea have coped if they had missed them for the entire season. Djourou has been brilliant this season bar a few mistakes which every single defender for every single club will make at some point. Yes, Squillaci has been a massive disappointment but Koscielny shows promise, but he’ll never be worthy of a starting 11 spot.
    The players who MUST go are: Almunia, Squillaci, Denilson, Rosicky, and Chamakh. Chamakh is such a waste of space its unbelievable, when he arrived i was really enthusiastic about him, at Bordeaux he scored brilliant towering headers and held up play, since he’s been with Arsenal he’s missed about 5 headers from 6 yards out in massive games, even van Persie is a better header than him. I’ve never seen a striker in a top league have such a bad shot and the decisions he makes are beyond ridiculous, he passes to a player in a worse position when he’s inside the box with a brilliant chance to score, and this isn’t just occasionally, its every time he comes on!
    Next Season:
    Starting Eleven:
    Szczesny
    Sagna Djourou Vermaelen Clichy
    Walcott Song Wilshere Fabregas Nasri
    van Persie

    Bench:
    Fabianski
    Eboue/Gibbs
    NEW defender – (Samba, Sakho, etc.)
    Diaby/Ramsey
    NEW midfielder – (Melo, Mbia, etc.)
    Bendtner/Vela
    NEW striker – (bring back Henry or Baptista!)

    Reply to this comment »
  • Aussie Jack says:
    April 28, 2011 at 8:31

    Towards the end of last season I noticed a change in Fabregas and said so. The hype mob suggested I was imagining things, but I wasn`t. From the onset of this season I`ve watched his head droop, he`s dropped a gear or two and has forgotten how to smile.
    I also questioned his captaincy but to the mob he was `Captain Courageous`, who was I to refute this?
    Inter Milan are wasting their time chasing him he`s going home, only then will the smile return.

    Reply to this comment »
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