The last thing I wan’t to do is jinx anything, but am I the only one that has an eerie feeling about Arsenal’s January plans? It can be argued that Mathieu Debuchy’s impressive showing in centre back last weekend perhaps justifies Wenger’s claim that Arsenal don’t need any defensive reinforcements when everyone is fit.

The devil’s advocate would say that since Debuchy played well, it goes to show that there is enough depth in the squad. If Debuchy and Chambers can step up in the absence of Koscielny, theoretically Arsenal should have nothing to worry about once Koscielny returns right?

Wrong. Debuchy did well, but he is not a centre back. He is a good footballer who is capable of adapting, but don’t be fooled. Chambers has been wobbly as of late, and although I have no doubt he will be a real stalwart  in the future, he is not a proper centre back at the moment. Monreal should never play centre back again (although I salute his efforts).

Young Isaac Hayden is said to be a real promising talent, but how many first team matches has he played? You see my point. Never would I disparage any Arsenal player, but we must call a spade a spade. Or in this case, our lack of spades.

Spades being centre backs of course. Per Mertesacker (and we all know he needs a mobile partner to compensate for his athletic deficiencies, but that’s another piece all together) is Arsenal’s only fit centre back. One centre back. In an entire squad. It’s not good enough for Arsenal. It’s not good enough for any side with lofty aspirations. Arsenal have been in need of another centre back for quite a few seasons in truth, as a partner to Thomas Vermalean in reserve.

The Belgian has since left the club and Arsenal has failed to replace him let alone sign another defender for cover. Arsenal can ill-afford not to get January right. No team should have to improvise with fullbacks.

The decrease in quality from first choice centre backs to second choice should never be as drastic as is the case with Arsenal now and Wenger simply must put that right. Zouma and Ivanovic (who is equally as capable in centre back or full back) are not too far off from Terry and Cahill at Chelsea for example. There is no reason why the same shouldn’t be said for Arsenal. Wenger has to go out and buy at least on centre back this Janaury. We need two, but seeing how this window is typically difficult, one is a reasonable demand.

Hummels, De Vrij, Van Dijk. These should be the names lining for Arsenal in centre back. Not Debuchy and Monreal.

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