So, here we are, Arsenal fans. After a slow start to the transfer window for the majority of clubs, it’s now becoming a little bit worrying that the Gunners are yet to sign a central defender. You’re not the only ones worried, though, as Charlie Nicholas has voiced his concern.
The former Arsenal man, whilst speaking on The Transfer Talk podcast, transcribed by The Express, has come out with a bold call, stating that his ex-club need ‘immediately two centre-backs’ and that ‘they need a bit of pace, they’ve never really had the pace.’ when talking about the current defence.
It really is hard to disagree with Nicholas too, even if he isn’t your favourite Sky Sports Soccer Saturday pundit. His claims are only backed up by stats too, for those who will try and disagree. Unai Emery’s side shipped 51 goals this season, 12 more than Spurs, who pipped them to fourth by a single point, and also more than all of Newcastle, Everton, Leicester and Wolves.
Arsenal may be in a tough spot because of the options they have, though. Shkodran Mustafi may just be one of the first men the fans want out of the club as some supporters called for his head back in March (as per Daily Star), and Laurent Koscielny is now 33-years-old and has seen his injuries catch up with him, making the pair the prime candidates to be shipped out. It just so happens that Nicholas singled the two out himself in his comments.
‘The guy who had pace was Koscielny but he kind of lost his pace two, three seasons ago under Arsene Wenger.
‘It was through the injuries, it wasn’t the lad’s fault, but it was the reality of the injuries has caught up with him.
‘Then after that we had to go round about the houses to accept that Mustafi didn’t fit in.’
From this, it’s made clear who Nicholas wants to get rid of, yet with youngsters Konstantinos Mavropanos and Rob Holding, things aren’t all bad. There’s also the big Greek monster Sokratis Papastathopoulous to factor in, but that doesn’t mean Arsenal shouldn’t open the chequebook.
It does look like Emery might be close to bolstering the Gunners’ defence, though, as Arsenal are reportedly (as per ESPN) set to win the race to sign William Saliba.
Arsenal fans, do you agree with Charlie Nicholas? Comment below and let us know!
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