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Arsène Wenger admits Arsenal cannot continue to lose central defenders.
William Gallas has been out with a long-term injury, and now Thomas Vermaelen will serve a suspension following his red card against West Ham.
With the shortage at the back, the boss is glad he brought in veteran defender Sol Campbell during January.
He did admit, however, that Campbell’s age could make it difficult for him to appear in the side too regularly.
He told Arsenal.com: “I hope it won’t be a problem but we cannot continue to lose centre-backs, that is for sure.
“So at the moment we don’t have Gallas and today we have lost Vermaelen.
“Sol Campbell was outstanding but to repeat the games could become a problem for him so I think I have to give him a big holiday next week to recover. He is very important to us and I think it was a very good signing.”
Wenger has praised the experience that Campbell has brought to his young side.
He said: “Everybody said I didn’t sign anybody and now you can see that I signed somebody. His experience is vital in the dressing room. You need it especially when we get to the period we are in, it’s important you have players like Campbell and Almunia who are very influential. They have done it before so players listen to them.”
Midfielder Alex Song moved into central defence after Vermaelen’s red card, and Wenger would have no hesitation using him there again if needed.
He said: “I think he was absolutely outstanding. It looked so easy to him to play in this position. I know he can play there, but he was outstanding in midfield earlier in the game. I have no fear to continue with him at centre-back.”
