Arsenal FC vs Schalke Preview: Will the Gunners show their Mental Strength against Schalke?

Arsene Wenger has almost always made it a point to mention his team's mental resilience whenever they have managed to grind their way out of a tough situation. The game against Schalke at the Emirates will demonstrate just how much mental strength that the Gunners have to bounce back from that disappointing defeat against Norwich City. It was a flat performance from Arsenal and in truth, they looked far from a side looking to challenge for the title. But as is the case with football, a couple of weeks could really change things which is what Wenger will be hoping looking towards the game against Schalke. The French manager will be looking from the stands, serving his touchline ban and will expect his team to perform up to the required standard against a very good Schalke team.

The Bundesliga side beat champions Borussia Dortmund in the weekend and look like genuine title challengers this season. With players like Klaas Jan-Huntelaar, Lewis Holtby and Ibrahim Afellay in their ranks, there is no reason why they cannot sustain their good form should they keep their main players fit for most of the season. They will provide a serious threat to the Arsenal defense, who will have to be at their best to not let Schalke have many opportunities. Huntelaar is a player who is a perfect "fox-in-the-box" sort of striker and is not likely to pass up good opportunities to score and he has got some good players like Afellay, Farfan and Holtby who will support him well.

For Arsenal, the good news is that Laurent Koscielny is fit enough to come back to the squad but the question is whether or not he will be in the starting line-up. Per Mertesacker has done very well this season and if fit, he is most likely to start. Thomas Vermaelen does make mistakes at times and though he is a very good player, it has to be said that the decision to make him the captain of this Arsenal side is questionable considering that Koscielny could be considered a serious contender for his place in the starting line-up. The French international was arguably Arsenal's best defender in the last season and though he had a poor game against Chelsea, he deserves another chance to have a decent run in the side. Mikel Arteta would have been a more appropriate choice to be named as captain considering that he has the leadership skills and is also extremely consistent on the pitch.

Wenger has made his choice though and will have to stick with Vermaelen and Mertesacker as his first choice defensive pair because Koscielny and Vermaelen as a partnership does not look to be  too stable. With Huntelaar leading the line, he will cause plenty of problems for Arsenal and Mertesacker and Vermaelen will have a tough task to keep him quiet. With Gibbs not likely to feature against Schalke due to injury, Andre Santos is likely to be entrusted with the duty of stopping the supply of crosses from the right flank. Carl Jenkinson has been very impressive this season and will start again against Schalke but with him more or less a regular member of the side now, he has to also improve on his attacking duties and deliver more accurate crosses from the right for the Gunners. With Olivier Giroud leading the line for the Gunners, Jenkinson's crosses could be important in adding another dimension to their play.

In midfield, Aaron Ramsey could make way for Francis Coquelin, who deserves a chance considering that he has played well whenever given the opportunity to do so. The Welsh international had a woeful game against Norwich and needs to be benched for maybe a couple of matches unless he improves on his standard of performance. Arteta can be very influential further up the pitch as well considering that he and Cazorla do share an excellent understanding and the Spaniards have the capability of breaking down defenses with their vision and creativity. Jack Wilshere is not likely to make the squad having played the entire U-21 game against Everton on Monday but is likely to be on the bench for the game against QPR. His return to fitness is a timely boost for the Gunners, who have got a number of first team players out through injury.

With both Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out for the game against Schalke, there are not many options left for Arsene Wenger other than to continue playing Gervinho out wide with Giroud leading the line. Gervinho does not look at his best on the right wing and did have a very poor game against Norwich City. Lukas Podolski will continue to start on the left flank and the German international who will be facing familiar opposition will be looking to make an impact. With  Arsenal no longer having Robin van Persie to rely on for the goals, all the attacking players will have to step up and perform at their best if they want to seriously challenge for trophies this season.

It is a difficult task for the Gunners to defeat Schalke but a win will give them huge impetus after their defeat and importantly would put them in pole position to qualify as the Group toppers. It will allow them breathing space at the top of the table and will be a huge relief for Arsenal. It will not be a easy task but Wenger will be looking for a positive reaction from the defeat against Norwich City. Arsenal's mental strength will be put to the test on Wednesday against a tough team in front of a crowd who will be anxious right from the start. It is up to the team to show their quality and prove that the defeat against Norwich was just a one-off game. With plenty of important games coming in quickly from now till the end of the year, it is of vital importance that Arsenal beat Schalke and establish their position as the Group B leaders in the Champions League.

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Jan Vertonghen

Arsenal have officially confirmed the transfer of Carl Jenkinson from Charlton and the youngster has been signed very much for the future. However, Arsenal fans are frustrated by Wenger's frugal transfer policies in addition to enduring a six year trophy drought and are desperate for the manager to show intent in the transfer market. With a number of players linked with an exit from Arsenal including the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, the Arsenal manager will look to bring in some quality to challenge for the title.

The Gunners struggled in defence in the 2010-11 season with set-pieces in particular being the major problem. Wenger has admitted his side's weaknesses in this regard and will look to bring in more height to the team which has a lot of short skilled players as opposed to the previous generation at Arsenal where there were more taller and stronger players.

In the 2010-11 season, Arsenal's best centre back Thomas Vermaelen only played in five games out of 38 league games with the last two games after the season had effectively been over. Though Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou have shown potential for the future, the Gunners would like to have an established centre back to provide solidity to the Gunners' defence.

With Manchester United close to signing talented prospect Phil Jones and Liverpool on the verge of concluding the deal for Jordan Henderson, it means more pressure for the Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger to strengthen his squad in the summer. The primary concern for the Arsenal manager would be on how to strengthen their defence next year because they have conceded much more than their rivals.

Arsenal have been linked with many defenders in this summer and they had also been linked with moves for many others last summer to fill gaps vacated by William Gallas and Sol Campbell. One of the defenders who have been linked with a move to Arsenal in the past is Ajax and Belgian Centre Back Jan Vertonghen, who has also been linked with a move to Manchester City. This article is about the advantages and disadvantages of signing the Belgium International.

Advantages

Vertonghen is a left footed defender who is technically good on the ball and has been consistent in the recent past. The Belgian centre back, who is 6' 2" tall, has good aerial ability and also his reading of the game is excellent. He has been compared to Thomas Vermaelen and certainly shares some similarities in his style of play with his compatriot.

He is composed on the ball and has the ability to bring it out from the back and distribute it as well. He can also be effective in taking free-kicks, which has been a problem for Arsenal since Robin van Persie has not been at his best in set-piece duties. Also, he has scored a few cracking goals just like Vermaelen and it is difficult to not mention the similarities between the two which could be a reason for Wenger wanting to look at other alternatives.

The versatile defender can play as left back or as a defensive midfielder, where he has played in a number of games for Belgium where Thomas Vermaelen and Daniel Van Buyten are the preferred centre backs. Arsenal might have to deal with Song's absence due to the African Cup of Nations and should Song represent Cameroon, there are no suitable replacements for him but Vertonghen can fit in comfortably as a defensive midfielder.

Also there is a possibility that Gael Clichy might not sign a new contract with the club which means he could leave though his destination is still not clear. Though Kieran Gibbs is a good talent, he is ptone to injuries and had a start-stop season this year in addition to missing most part of the 2009-10 season due to injury and Left Back is another position where Vertonghen can play if necessary.

Vertonghen has good aerial ability and would certainly help Arsenal in dealing with set-pieces. Also, his versatility in the defensive midfield role means that he can play there to provide the Gunners with extra height on set-pieces and dealing with aerial threat. Laurent Koscielny has progressed to a great extent this season and has shown the makings of an excellent defender in the future. Koscielny could be entrusted with the job of partnering Thomas Vermaelen in the next season considering the fact that Koscielny has the attitude and talent to be a future first choice centre back for Arsenal.

Vertonghen will add a lot of depth and versatility to the squad, which will help considering that the Gunners have suffered a lot due to injuries to various players in recent seasons. At the age of 24, he is ready to take the next big step in his career having won the Dutch title in Ajax and will have the desire to establish himself as one of the world's best defenders.

Disadvantages

With Manchester City also interested in Vertonghen, it could drive the price of the Belgian International by a few million and Arsenal will not be able to match City's wages if they decide to spend exorbitantly. Also Vertonghen is a player who is quite similar to Vermaelen and having two left sided defenders could be a problem. Also, he is quite attack minded similar to the mould of Vermaelen which means it could be a risk if they are paired together.

However, if Arsene Wenger does believe in the quality of Laurent Koscielny who played more than 40 games this year, then he could use the Frenchman alongside Thomas Vermaelen and push Vertonghen into defensive midfield. With a defender playing in midfield, Arsenal could revert to the 4-3-3 formation used in 2009-10 which will provide more freedom for Jack Wilshere to attack which is his natural instinct.

But Vertonghen's primary role is as a centre back and he will not like to play out of position though he is versatile, which is one of the reasons why he could opt out of Arsenal. Also, Wenger has confirmed that he would like to sign a player who is experienced with the physicality of the Premiership and it is not the case with Vertonghen who is making the next big step in his career.

However, securing a Premiership experienced defender could be a problem for Arsenal considering that if Manchester United sign Phil Jones, then it is unlikely that Blackburn will let senior defender Christopher Samba also leave in the same summer. Also, Arsenal may have to pay over the odds to sign Gary Cahill, who has been linked with the Gunners in the past and could look at other alternatives from the Premiership and foreign leagues as well.

With the manager, players and supporters frustrated by the trophy drought, Arsene Wenger will not be afraid to plunge the cash to secure the signings of quality players and it could be the summer which decides the future of Arsene Wenger and his youthful squad.

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Blackburn’s Phil Jones

The Gunners have endured six long years of trophy drought and their frustration is also shared by the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who will look to strengthen his team by bringing in some additions to the squad. There have been a number of rumours linking some of their players to depart the club and Wenger would like to sort most of the deals before the pre-season starts.

Arsenal’s main problems in recent seasons has been their defence which has not been solid and this year, defending from set-pieces was particularly awful as the Gunners conceded a number of soft goals. Wenger will look to bring some taller players into the squad in order to mix it up and will hope that their defending is better next season.

The Gunners’ attack also did not fire towards the end of the season which is why Arsenal are linked with the likes of Karim Benzema and Gervinho. However, the defence presents a bigger problem for Arsene Wenger’s team who struggled in 2010-11 season although their best centre back Thomas Vermaelen was not present for most of the season.

However, it is not only the back four which has to be blamed for Arsenal’s shoddy defending as many of the attacking players have not aided in defence and also, the team’s average height is quite low which is another reason for their poor defending from set-pieces. As a result, Wenger has been looking to strengthen the team’s defending and he would prefer signing a defender who can cope with physicality of the Premiership and also, look for players experienced in the EPL.

One of the players who has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer is Blackburn’s promising youngster Phil Jones, who can play as a centre back or in the defensive midfield role. Wenger is a manager who is renowned for developing youngsters and could be interested in signing the Blackburn defender.

Phil Jones, who is only 19 years old, has been one of the best performers for Blackburn this season and will not come on a bargain for the Gunners. Arsenal should beat competition from many other clubs if they are interested in signing the England youth International. This article is on the advantages and disadvantages of signing Blackburn’s Phil Jones.

Advantages

Phil Jones is experienced in the Premiership and has made over 30 league appearances for the club despite only making his debut towards the end of the 2009-10 season. He has performed excellently against tough oppositions like Manchester United and Chelsea and looks destined to move to a bigger club in the future.

At a height of 6’ 2”, he possesses excellent aerial ability in addition to being decisive on the ground and also has decent technique on the ball. He has played as a defensive midfielder in a number of games for Blackburn and has displayed his battling qualities in the middle of the park and also, he showed that he can be adept with his passing and technique for a midfielder.

Arsenal do not have depth in the defensive midfield role with Alex Song the only natural holding midfielder in the squad. Though Abou Diaby can play in the role, he is not suited to the role and is better when he is proved with the freedom to surge forward from midfield. Though Song is currently not in the Cameroon squad due to off-field issues, there is every possibility that he could be in the squad for the African Cup of Nations which could mean he miss matches in January and February.

Jones is comfortable in the role of the holding midfielder and can be used in the role in the absence of Song. Also, he provides additional presence for set-pieces which will undoubtedly help the Gunners. Though his overall game can still improve, he certainly has shown a lot of potential and can go on to be an excellent ball-playing centre back in the future.

With Sebastien Squillaci being unimpressive in his first season at the club, there is a good possibility that he could be shipped out to accommodate new arrivals. Though Johan Djourou had a good 2010-11 season, he is still prone to errors and suffers from inconsistency. Laurent Koscielny had an extremely shaky start to the season but has also shown a lot of promise for the future and it is expected that he will have a better season next year when he is well accustomed to the Premiership.

Disadvantages

As is the case with many Arsenal targets, he could prove to be quite costly and though Wenger has said that Arsenal have the financial capability to make big signings in the summer but it is doubtful as to whether he will spend as much as the £15 million reported in the Mail to secure his services. Wenger has admitted he needs to bring in experience to bolster the squad and Jones does not fit the bill in that respect having played only 35 games for Arsenal.

Also, it is doubtful whether Jones will be the first choice centre back alongside Thomas Vermaelen because he is inexperienced at the highest level and Laurent Koscielny has shown a lot of promise in his debut season. The Blackburn defender could however be an excellent back-up and add quality depth to the squad.

If a youngster like Phil Jones, it could possibly mean the departures of promising youngsters Kyle Bartley, who was impressive on loan this season, and Ignasi Miquel who will enjoy lesser playing time. Bartley in particular has shown that he can be a part of Arsenal’s first team in the next season and he can also play as a defensive midfielder.

 

However, Phil Jones is considered to be a better talent and has been touted to be one of the best defenders in the future. Arsenal would certainly benefit by having a promising youngster like Jones in their team and the England U-21 player would certainly improve Arsenal with respect to dealing with set-pieces along with providing more depth and competition to the squad.

Manchester United signed Chris Smalling from Fulham for around £10 million and though it was too much at that time, Smalling's performances have meant that United have made an excellent investment for the future. Similarly, the spending on Phil Jones could prove to be an important investment for Arsenal who need to sign quality players in order to end this frustrating title drought.

English players are generally over-rated and cost much more than their counterparts in foreign leagues which is why Jones might cost more than his market price. However, if it is possible for Wenger to sign the defender at a price which is affordable, then he should make efforts to sign the Blackburn defender who could be a future England International.

If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing Falcao, Ricky Alvarez, Scott Parker and Gervinho in this series of Arsenal Transfer Prospects

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: The Pros and Cons of Signing West Ham's Scott Parker

Though Arsene Wenger is probably on his way to South America for the summer, it is certain that he will be  actively involved in finalizing transfers as well as deciding on the futures of several players in the current Arsenal squad. Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson have confirmed that they wants to quit the club and some others are likely to follow in the summer.

The Gunners have been linked with a number of players in the summer and relegated West Ham's central midfielder is one of the targets for Arsene Wenger in this transfer window. West Ham have appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager and they will hope that he can take them back to the Premiership in his first year.

However, Scott Parker has hinted that he is likely to move in order to play for the highest level and also to play for the England team. The hard tackling midfielder has reportedly attracted the interest of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham and could be signed by one of these clubs. Though Parker is currently aged 30, he was the best player by a distance for West Ham and also won the Football Writers Award for the 2010-11.

Parker started his career at Charlton Athletic where he impressed and attracted the interest of many clubs due to his impressive performances from the English midfielder. He was signed by Chelsea which meant a big step in his career but he did not get many opportunities to prove himself and was discarded by the Blues only one and a half seasons after signing for the club.

Since then, he has played for Newcastle United and West Ham United where he has been excellent for both clubs. Though Parker's performances for the Irons in this season were in vain, it is likely that he will move on to a club in the top six of the EPL in this summer. With Arsenal amongst the clubs being linked with him, this is an article on what Parker brings to the Gunners and also on Arsenal's problems in defensive midfield.


Advantages

Arsenal have not had enough leaders in the dressing room due to a lack of experience and Fabregas in an interview to the Don Balon admitted that the guys look up to him and Van Persie. Parker is a player who is vastly experienced and can help others to cope with pressure. Also, he has played in a team with much lesser quality and has the capability to bring out the best from others as he showed with West Ham.

The England International is a hard tackling player who is good defensively and can thrive in the defensive midfield role for the Gunners though he can contribute effectively in attack as well. He is experienced in the Premiership and can cope with the physicality and the pace of the league which means that he will not need time to adjust to the team.

Parker can play in the role of Jack Wilshere or that of Alex Song in the current Arsenal team and there is no quality back-up for Song if he does get injured. Though Abou Diaby has played in that role, he is not suited to a predominantly defensive midfielder role and Emmanuel Frimpong has only just recovered from his injury which saw him miss almost the entire season.

It would also be personally good for Parker if he joins Arsenal since he can play in the Champions League which no other club interested in him can offer and also, he would play alongside Jack Wilshere at club level which will improve his chances of getting selected in the England team where Wilshere is certain to start.

With a player of Parker's experience, Arsenal's mentality is likely to improve and his never-say-die attitude and commitment to the cause could be just what the Gunners need to get over the finishing line at the end of the season. In more detail, here are five reasons why Parker should be considered by Arsene Wenger, who rarely spends a sizeable fee on a player aged 30.

Disadvantages

Parker's transfer fee could be a problem considering his age and West Ham will not let him depart on a bargain though he is likely to quit the club. Also, Arsenal's major problem this season has been dealing with set-pieces and signing another short player will not solve the problem which is why Wenger wants to bring more variety in height this year.

Also, he could be frustrated with the lack of opportunities at the club if Wenger opts to play Song ahead of him. Though he played one and a half years with Chelsea, he is not experienced with the Champions League which boasts of high quality teams from around the world. He is not quick which means that he could struggle with fast counter-attacks with which the Gunners have struggled to deal with in the past.

He has played through the pain barrier on some occasions this season and that could yet come back to haunt him because he could be injured next season having played a number of games for West Ham despite sustaining some injuries. The last thing that Arsenal would want to have is another player who is a frequent visitor to the treatment room but let us hope Parker, irrespective of which club he joins, can stay fit for most of the season.

Should Wenger sign a Defensive Midfielder in the Summer?


Arsenal have been linked with a number of players in various positions and it is difficult to predict which positions are at the top of the agenda for the Arsenal manager. But it is logical to predict that the Gunners are likely to be in the market for a strong Centre Back who can provide stability to Arsenal, who have been woeful in defending from set-pieces.

However, the Gunners currently have four defenders in Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou, Thomas Vermaelen and Sebastien Squillaci. In this scenario, signing a strong physical centre back like Gary Cahill or Christopher Samba who are excellent in the air. Koscielny and Djourou have both shown immense promise for the future and will only get better next season but it is likely that manager signs a player who relishes aerial battles.

Arsenal might need to sign a Centre Back who is likely to be in the range of £10-15 million and to sign a defensive midfielder like Parker or any other decent defensive midfielder, another £8-12 million will be required. The Gunners will also look to sign a striker who can be prolific since Van Persie has been injury prone and also a left winger because Arshavin has been inconsistent and signing a youngster like Ricky Alvarez or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be important in this summer.

The problem for Arsenal is that with the African Nations Cup in January 2012, Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong could be away with their National teams though it looks increasingly likely that the Cameroon International will not be a part of the squad. One alternative which can be considered by Wenger is that the Arsenal defenders are quite good on the ball and can play as midfielders when required.

Though Vermaelen is currently Arsenal's best defender, he has a tendency to attack far too much and can get caught out of position for a centre back. However, he has excellent technique and can shoot from range and can easily slot in as a defensive midfielder as well. Johan Djourou has played as a defensive midfielder in his youth and can also do the job in midfield.


Koscielny who has been excellent in many games this season for the Gunners including high profile games against Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United can be paired alongside the new defender and also, he has also shown good potential with his distribution and he can also possibly play in the defensive midfield role though he is not accustomed to the role in his short career.

In the absence of Alex Song due to injury or Internationals, Thomas Vermaelen or Laurent Koscielny can play in his role with the other as the centre back partnering Johan Djourou or the new signing. If a centre back who is good on the ball plays in defensive midfield, it will also mean that Arsenal will have more presence in the box for defending set-piece situations with which they have struggled.

In addition to this, youngsters Emmanuel Frimpong who was on the verge of breaking into the first team squad before his cruciate ligament injury and Kyle Bartley who has shown a lot of promise in his loan spells could also provide depth for Song. The option of playing Vermaelen or Koscielny as a defensive midfielder alongside Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere has to be considered by the manager since it will provide much more security in defense which has been Arsenal's achilles' heel in the recent past.


If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing Falcao and Ricky Alvarez

Arsenal FC: Why Laurent Koscielny's Development Could Be the Key to the Gunners

Arsene Wenger has endured a tough time as the Arsenal boss in the past few weeks and the win against Manchester United would have provided him with some relief after the club had endured a string of poor results which will most probably result in them extending their trophy drought.

However, the rise of ticket prices by the Arsenal Football Club has left a bad taste in the mouths of faithful supporters, who have been disheartened by the recent failures. The Arsenal Supporters Trust had suggested some measures to tackle the inflation effect on ticket prices but the club has gone ahead with the decision to increase ticket prices.

With the decision to increase ticket prices, there will be increased pressure on Wenger to splash the money on quality players and more importantly, win trophies. Many sections of the supporters have been let down by Wenger's decisions in the recent transfer markets like signing a 30-year old defender who has never been regarded as a top quality player.

Similarly, many supporters felt that Wenger's decision to sign an inexperienced Centre Back who had just played one season at the top level before being signed by Arsenal was a poor move. Koscielny had an indifferent start to his Arsenal which included a red card on his debut. He did not seem to be confident with the ball though his positioning was good from the start.

Some of the many criticisms that came his way was his decision-making and his extremely thin physique. However, as the season has progressed, Koscielny has shown remarkable progress and has firmly established himself as a reliable defender for the Gunners. He has increasingly shown good value for the money that Wenger spent to acquire his services from Lorient.

The Frenchman, who is also eligible to play alongside Szczesny for Poland, has progressed rapidly since joining the Gunners and has even received a call-up to the France National team. Koscielny has shown that his tenacity can compensate for his thin frame and he is not intimidated by the physicality of the league.

Though Koscielny's mistake against Birmingham was the main reason for the Gunners not winning a trophy this season, his commitment to the cause cannot be questioned. He has played with bruises and cuts and has shown that he is not afraid of tackling hard if necessary. He has displayed immense maturity and for someone
who has been thrown into the deep end, he has responded by showcasing his potential for the Gunners.

The centre back has struggled to establish a partnership with Sebastien Squillaci and the duo have leaked a number of goals when they have played together. However, since the manager has installed Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny as the first choice pairing, the Frenchman has excelled with the only major blip being his error in the Carling Cup final.

The duo have formed a strong partnership at the back and the defence has looked better than it has been for the last few years. The return of the experienced Thomas Vermaelen is certainly a huge boost for the Gunners as his experience and know-how will be integral to the progress of the two youngsters Djourou and Koscielny.

His appearance as a weak player is extremely deceptive as he can match strong forwards in the air and also make excellent tackles. Koscielny is also adept at reading danger and cuts out through balls by making vital interceptions. He was one of the best players on the pitch in the first leg at Barcelona where he nullified the threat of Lionel Messi for large parts of the game.

In the second leg of the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona tie, Ricardo Carvalho, who is one of the most experienced and talented defenders in the game, made a number of heavy tackles which could have seen him sent off. It would be fair to say that Koscielny looked more comfortable than Carvalho against Messi and that shows the calibre of the defender.

Despite many Arsenal fans clamoring for the signing of a new centre back, it could be unfair for any one of Koscielny or Djourou to be the fourth choice centre back despite performing quite well. Vermaelen has recovered from his achilles injury and his season has been very similar to Djourou's 2009-10 season but Wenger and the fans will hope he has a strong 2011-12 season.

The only defender who has been criticized for his inept displays has been Sebastien Squillaci, who has not won over the fans in his first season. It would be tough on the Frenchman if he is sold after his first season but Wenger will have to be ruthless in his decision making. The Arsenal manager could bring in some fresh faces to supplement Koscielny, Djoruoru and Vermaelen and it will provide quality depth to the team.

Koscielny has shown a lot of promise in his debut season and has even scored few important goals for the Gunners. He has certainly not let his manager down and his commitment to the cause has been excellent. Koscielny's development should continue in the next season as well and he could be the defensive rock on which Gunners' future success is built.

Arsenal FC: Why Koscielny and Djourou Are More Important Than Van Persie's Injuries

There have been many questions raised regarding Arsenal's capability to win titles and many have written off the Gunners after the injury to Robin Van Persie. The injury to Van Persie could be a huge factor but Arsenal are still firmly hanging onto the coat tails of United. Though the Red Devils are the favourites in the title race, the Gunners have a great opportunity to snatch the title by being consistent during this time of the year.

The Gunners suffered a morale sapping defeat against Birmingham in the Carling Cup final but the defeat of Manchester United by Chelsea provided a huge boost to Arsenal's title hopes. The performance against Leyton Orient was largely pleasing for Arsenal supporters after the loss and has provided them renewed hope in the three competitions. But many Gooners are still skeptical of Arsenal's title hopes due to injuries sustained by various players.

Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen are very important players who are currently injured but apart from Vermaelen, the rest will be back in this month. But the reason why supporters fear that their team will be short is the injury to key striker Robin Van Persie, who was in scintillating form prior to the injury.

Van Persie has had a history of injuries in his Arsenal career and many people point to his injuries as the reason for Arsenal's failures in the last five years. The Dutch striker is capable of conjuring many magical moments which has contributed to the Gunners having a successful run since the turn of this year. However, his injury has ruled him out for three weeks but as has been the case in the past, it could turn out to be more than that before the Dutchman starts for the Gunners.

This has led to many Arsenal supporters doubting their title credentials and how they could cope without the talented striker. One of the main reasons why the Gunners should be confident is the presence of two fit and experienced strikers in Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner. Though the former has not been in good form, he has shown to be a very capable player and is one of the main reasons why Arsenal remain in the title race.

Nicklas Bendtner was excellent at this time of the year, last season when he netted many important goals including the one at the Nou Camp. He is never short of confidence and is expected to play a key role in Arsenal's title challenge this year. Many believe that Van Persie's injury was the reason for their inability to win last year.

However, the fact remains though Arsenal's scoring rate dropped considerably, it was not in attack that they floundered last year. The Gunners did not defend well and injuries to Johan Djourou and William Gallas left the Gunners with little defensive options as a result of which they conceded a number of goals. Wenger admitted after the last season that they had lost the title due to slack defending and overhauled the defence this season.

The injury to Thomas Vermaelen at the start of the season has been a huge blow for the Gunners and the new signings, Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci needed time to adjust to the rigours of the Premiership. Though they both seem capable players, their partnership has been poor for the Gunners which has contributed to their inconsistency this season.

It is no coincidence that Arsenal's superb form this year has been with the defensive partnership of Djourou and Koscielny. It was a surprise selection from Wenger when he fielded this partnership for the game against Chelsea and dropped Squillaci after a decent performance against Manchester United. But Djourou has been immense this season and has repaid the manager's faith with some commanding performances at the back.

Though Koscielny has been criticized by a number of people this season, he has excelled beside the Swiss International and has been integral for the Gunners. It was his mistake which cost the Gunners the Carling Cup but one should not slaughter the lad based on one error. He is the reason why Arsenal are in with a chance of beating Barcelona and was outstanding at the Emirates in that game.

Koscielny and Djourou have been helped by the impressive performances of Wojciech Szczesny and the fullbacks Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna have also been solid at the back. Arsenal have been miserly in conceding goals when Koscielny and Djourou have played together and they have developed an excellent understanding which has provided stability.

Thomas Vermaelen is expected to return for the last few games of the season which could yet prove vital for the Gunners but these two's performances have made it possible for the Gunners to be solid without the presence of the talented Belgium International. There were many people who had written off Arsenal after the injury to Vermaelen and Van Persie at the start of the season but Djourou, Koscielny, Chamakh and Nasri have proved that they can be inspirational for the club.

Van Persie's loss will be a big blow for the Gunners considering his superb form this year but the solid performances of Djourou and Koscielny coupled with the ammunition provided by Fabregas, Nasri and others should be enough to demolish quality opponents. Arsenal have an excellent opportunity to win the season despite the injury to Van Persie because Koscielny and Djourou have built a solid partnership that they have lacked in the past, which has been the cause for their downfall.

Arsenal F.C. opinion: Johan Djourou can be the next Alex Song for the Gunners

Arsenal cruised to a two goal victory over Wolverhampton who could not cope with the quality of the Gunners. Robin van Persie scored both the goals taking his tally for the season to 12 goals only two behind the leading goal-scorer of the season for Arsenal, Samir Nasri. The Gunners kept another clean sheet which will be a huge boost to their confidence ahead of the tough encounter against FC Barcelona who are amongst the best teams in the world.

After conceding four goals within half an hour against Newcastle, it was important that there were no defensive lapses for the Gunners and that they could gain all the three points from their impressive display which could have seen many more goals but for the heroics of Wayne Hennessey. Wojciech Szczesny said after the disastrous second half against Newcastle that the substitution of Johan Djourou caused an imbalance in the side.

Arsenal supporters were hugely relieved by news that the injury to Djourou was not serious and he would be able to start the game against Wolves. The Gunners' best defensive performances this season have been when Djourou has started games for them. With the injury to Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal needed the two new signings Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci to come good to keep their title aspirations alive.

However, it has been the performances of Djourou which has provided the Gunners with a solid base to perform better. The Swiss International has established a superb partnership with Laurent Koscielny and the duo have been good when played together. However Koscielny seems to be extremely uncomfortable when playing alongside Squillaci.

Though Wenger spent around £10 million on Koscielny, it is probable that it will be Djourou who will partner Vermaelen when the latter returns to full fitness. Though he started the season as the fourth choice centre back, the quality of his performances has made Wenger install him as the first choice centre back in the absence of the Belgian.

Djourou has been at Arsenal for a long time and at the age of 24; he is proving that he has the quality to be a starter for the Gunners for years to come. However, the road has not been smooth for the defender and he has worked hard to come back from the injury which threatened to derail his Arsenal career.

Though the Ivorian born player has been at the club for a long time, he was not considered to be the first choice centre back and his quality was questioned by a number of critics. But it is credit to Djourou that he has shown a willingness to wait and has trusted his manager to give him the opportunity he deserves. Wenger has a lot of faith in him and even said to him that he had let the solid Kolo Toure leave the club to provide more opportunities for him.

He is currently enjoying a superb run of games for Arsenal and his performances have made him one of the key players of the season for the Gunners. His progress to the first team has similarities with Alex Song whose credentials to play as the defensive midfielder were questioned by many.

The Cameroon International has developed immensely under the keen eyes of Wenger and has vastly improved over the last couple of seasons. Song made the role of the defensive midfielder his own last season and this season; he has shown that he is a complete player by providing good offensive threat along with his effectiveness in defensive midfield.

Song has established his place in the Arsenal first team and is one of the regulars if fit. He has also won over the Arsenal supporters who regard him to be as important as Cesc Fabregas or Robin van Persie and his commitment to the club has been excellent as well. Djourou's progress this season could undoubtedly be the sign of things to come and he has the quality to be Arsenal's first choice defensive centre-back for the future.

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analysing The Pros and Cons of Signing Matthew Upson

Arsenal eased past relegation candidates West Ham United by scoring three goals at Upton Park with Robin van Persie netting a brace. The Hammers struggled to create anything meaningful and apart from a dreadful back-pass from Johan Djourou, the Gunners' defence looked solid and deserved their clean sheet. The victory would mean that they will be on the tail of leaders Manchester United who will play Tottenham on Sunday.

Arsenal have not got enough numbers at the back because of the injuries to Thomas Vermaelen and Sebastien Squillaci because of which Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou have to start almost all the games. It is likely that Wenger will attempt to sign a Centre Back to provide good cover for the defense.

Arsene Wenger revealed that Thomas Vermaelen will most probably not require surgery but it is still not known when the influential Belgian defender will be back for the Gunners. Sebastien Squillaci has also sustained a hamstring injury which means Wenger will be forced to try to sign a defender in January. He has also insisted that he prefers a defender who has the experience of playing in the Premier League.

Arsenal are looking for a defender who could add quality to the team as well as add some depth to the squad but with four defenders already in the squad, Wenger could add someone who could be a quick-fix solution. West Ham defender Matthew Upson, who has played for Arsenal in the past, could be targeted by Wenger to provide depth to the team because he will be available on a bargain and also he has a lot of experience in the Premier League.

Upson has played for the Gunners in the past but due to the longevity of class players like Martin Keown and Tony Adams and his own injury problems, he struggled to establish himself in the Arsenal team. Upson was allowed to move on from Arsenal and made a number of appearances for Birmingham City. He then moved to West Ham for whom he has been a key player in the last few seasons.

Arsene Wenger has not signed his former Arsenal players back for the Gunners except in the case of Sol Campbell who was signed in the previous season. But Upson could be targeted by the French tactician because his contract ends in the summer and the Hammers could cash in on the England International and also he has immense experience in the Premier League.

Advantages

Matthew Upson has got a lot of experience in the Premiership and at the age of 31, he could still have some good years in him. Also, he is good in the air and is a no-nonsense defender which is what the Gunners need. The England International will benefit from playing alongside a centre back like Thomas Vermaelen who has good pace. Also, he has consistently performed at a top level for West Ham United and though he has made the odd error, he has largely been reliable for the Hammers.

Since the defender is available at a bargain, it makes good business sense to sign the England International as he will provide good cover. He will not take time to adjust and if he does prove to be better than Squillaci, then it could mean that the Frenchman could be shipped out in the summer. Upson has worked with Wenger and can adjust to the needs of the Frenchman if he is signed by the Gunners.

Disadvantages

The England International is clearly not going to be the first choice defender and lacks the quality of Thomas Vermaelen or Gary Cahill. He could end up as yet another back-up defender like Squillaci who cannot establish himself as the first choice defender. The Gunners concede far too many goals in all competitions and they need a strong and capable defender who can add quality to the team.

It is doubtful if Upson will solve the defensive problems of Arsenal although he will provide decent back-up to the first choice defenders. He does not have great technical ability but he has experience in the Premiership and knows how to bring the ball from the back. He also lacks pace which means strikers who have good pace can get behind the defence and cause problems for them.

Should Wenger go for Upson or should he target a quality defender like Gary Cahill?

Wenger should decide whether he has to opt for a defender like Upson who is essentially a fourth choice centre back or to spend money to acquire a top quality defender to partner Thomas Vernaelen. Upson could be a good business deal for the short term but it would mean that either the England International or Squillaci will be on their way out in the summer because the Gunners will have four fit centre backs and Wenger could promote young talented players like Ignasi Miquel.

The decision taken by the French tactician will also be based on how long he estimates Thomas Vermaelen to be fit and back to his best again. If the Belgian is going to miss the majority of the remainder of the season, then the Gaffer must spend money to acquire a quality defender. But Wenger is more likely to make a deal to sign Matthew Upson instead of spending the money required to attract top quality defenders like Per Mertesacker.

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analysing the Pros and Cons of Signing Per Mertesacker

Arsene Wenger has recently confirmed that the impressive Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen has suffered another setback in training and is not likely to make a return for the Gunners in the near future. He has also clearly stated that he would have to sign a centre back in January to ease the pressure and work load on the other defenders.

With Arsene Wenger indicating that the Gunners need another centre back, it is likely that the French tactician will target someone who will add quality to the defence. In recent days, the Gunners have been linked with a number of centre backs including the likes of Christopher Samba, Gary Cahill and Per Mertesacker. Mertesacker was also linked with a move to the Emirates in the summer but Arsenal signed Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci to replace the outgoing William Gallas and Sol Campbell.

Sebastien Squillaci has not been impressive so far while Koscielny is improving with experience. However it would be a great boost to their title hopes if they can sign a quality defender who has the experience. Squillaci has also sustained a hamstring injury which leaves Koscielny and Djourou as the only Centre Backs in the squad and the Swiss International cannot be risked in too many games.

This is the reason why Wenger will be forced to spend money in January though it is unsure whether they can attract a top quality defender to leave their club this month. German International Per Mertesacker has only 18 months still on his contract and could be tempted to move to a top European club like Arsenal at this stage of his career. Also, Werder Bremen are already out of the Champions League and are struggling in the Bundesliga.

Though the German International has insisted that he wants to concentrate on his club for now, he could still move in January if Arsenal make the right offer for the tall defender. Let us analyse the pros and cons in signing the experienced Germany defender.

Advantages

Mertesacker is only 26 years of age and still has a long and bright career ahead of him. The German International is vastly experienced with more than 70 International caps to his name and is considered as one of the most consistent centre backs in the world. The fact that he has not yet signed for any top European club yet makes him a possible target for Arsenal who could get him at a lower price because he has only one more year running on his contract.

The tall defender would be a huge boost to Arsenal especially during set-piece situations where the Gunners have conceded some soft goals. The giant Centre Back is a leader at the back and his experience is invaluable to the team in the absence of Thomas Vermaelen. Also, he has got the knack of scoring from set-pieces for his team which makes him a goal scoring threat in such situations.

The Centre Back is very good in reading the game and making vital interceptions. He is a very fair player and is a good tackler. He has also got decent technical ability and his distribution of the ball is good. Mertesacker has shown that he has the ability to be a success in top clubs and with Werder currently struggling, he might look for a new challenge in England.

Disadvantages

It is hard to find disadvantages in signing a quality centre back like Mertesacker but there are some things which Wenger might consider before splashing the cash on the German International. Mertesacker does not have too much pace and might take time to adjust to the pace of the Premier League. Also, he is not having the best of seasons at Werder Bremen and this could prove to be a major challenge for the defender considering that he will have to justify his hefty price tag. The German International will also be ineligible to play in the Champions League games for Arsenal because he represented Werder Bremen earlier in the competition.

Mertesacker will certainly be a great addition for the Gunners but his signing will spell the end of Sebastien Squillaci’s short Arsenal career who will probably be sold in the summer. This is because Wenger has identified that Koscielny has a lot of talent which is why he spent around £8.5 million to acquire his services. Thomas Vermaelen is Arsenal’s best defender while Johan Djourou has shown everyone that he has a bright future at Arsenal. Wenger might have to sell Squillaci in the summer and also, with four quality centre backs in the squad, it will be extremely difficult for talented youngsters Ignasi Miquel and Kyle Bartley to break into the first team.

One more factor which must be considered is the fact that the Gunners might have to be involved in a bidding war with many other clubs. Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been linked with the defender which makes it harder for Arsenal to sign the defender on a bargain. However, Arsenal are a profit-making enterprise and Wenger will have enough money to spend in January.

Wenger’s Decision

The French tactician has been frustrated by the lack of titles in the last five years and that is one of the reasons why the Carling Cup has been considered seriously by Wenger. The reason why Arsenal’s title challenge faltered was mainly due to injuries to key players at important times in the season. With Vermaelen suffering a setback to his Achilles injury, Wenger might be cautious and will not take a gamble. Djourou has only just recovered completely from his injuries but it is better for him to have a lesser work load.

The addition of a quality defender could prove to be an excellent January signing for Arsenal and it will help them boost their chances of winning a trophy. Per Mertesacker’s calmness and experience will add a lot of quality to the defence and though Wenger may have to spend around £15 million, it would be worth the gamble if the Gunners can win a major trophy.

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: The Pros and Cons of signing Christopher Samba

Arsenal endured a frustrating night against Ipswich Town as they lost to the Championship by a goal to nil and will have to be more consistent. They still have the second leg of the Semi-final at the Emirates where one can expect the Gunners to dominate considering it will be a slick surface and with the support of the home fans, the Gunners could yet feature in the Final.

Arsene Wenger has made it clear that he needs another centre back in January to ease the pressure on his defenders because of the long term nature of the Achilles injury to Thomas Vermaelen. They have been linked with many centre back including the likes of Per Mertesacker and Gary Cahill but the French tactician has admitted that he would prefer if the defender was playing in the English Premier League.

Djourou has been in excellent form this season but the problem is that it is still a risk to play him three times a week because he was injured for over a year. He has already played three games in the last week which means that there is a good chance that he could be rested before the important Premier League game against West Ham United. If that is the case, young Ignasi Miquel will start for the first time for the Gunners alongside Laurent Koscielny who has been impressive in the last few weeks.

The Gunners are clearly short of numbers at the back and Arsene Wenger has admitted that he will look for a defender in January to ease the pressure on Johan Djourou. Arsenal have been linked with a number of centre-backs including the likes of Per Mertesacker and Gary Cahill. However Wenger could also make a move for Blackburn defender Christopher Samba who wants to leave the club following the departure of Sam Allardyce.

Samba will cost the Gunners in the region of £8 million and will be allowed to leave the club. Blackburn could be tempted by offering one of Jay Emmanuel Thomas or Carlos Vela on loan in addition to the cash in order to secure the services of the physical defender. Let us analyse what are the advantages and disadvantages of signing the former Hertha Berlin defender.

Advantages

Samba is only 26 and is certainly one of the most consistent performers in the last few seasons in the Premiership. The defender has decent pace and has also been rated highly by many experts and managers. He has immense physical presence which Arsenal have lacked in the recent past and is a no-nonsense defender. The Blackburn defender is also experienced in the Premiership and his battling qualities could be important for the Gunners.

In addition to this, he was Blackburn’s Captain until recently and has got good leadership at the back. He has got enough experience and can command the backline. Arsenal have conceded a number of goals from set-pieces and this is where Samba will help the Gunners improve drastically as he will win a number of aerial battles. He is also a goal scoring threat on set-pieces and Arsenal have not scored too many goals from set-pieces although they have Robin van Persie who can deliver the ball brilliantly into the area.

Disadvantages

Though the Blackburn defender offers a lot of physical presence and is good in dealing with set-pieces, he is not the best reader of the game. Also, he has not played for a top European club and he might be exposed in high profile Champions League matches. The former Hertha Berlin defender could struggle to cope with the intricate play of many quality teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid in the European competitions.

Christopher Samba does not have great technical ability and the Gunners style of play requires the defender to bring out the ball from the back and they have defenders like Vermaelen and Koscielny who are capable of doing that. However that will not be a problem since all other defenders at Arsenal have the ability to do so and Samba could be asked to stay back and do the defending.

Will Arsene Wenger spend £8 million on Christopher Samba?

The French tactician is a person who does not spend much on the transfer market unless there is a necessity to do so. In this case, Arsenal do need a solid defender but when Vermaelen does return from injury, Arsenal could have four fit centre backs without any new defenders which would mean very less playing time for some of the defenders. Vermaelen is the established defender while one amongst the rest will partner him.

If a new defender of the quality of Christopher Samba is signed, it does signal the end of Sebastien Squillaci’s Arsenal career because the Gunners will have four young defenders while the club also has some talented youngsters like Ignasi Miquel. The question is whether Wenger will spend the money required to buy Samba who is essentially going to be the fourth choice defender when all the others are fit. Having said that, Samba is a player who could add a lot to the Gunners and could be extremely effective in many games in the Premier League.

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analysing The Pros and Cons Of Signing Sol Campbell

Arsene Wenger would have been relieved that the Gunners managed to earn a replay against Leeds through a late Cesc Fabregas penalty which saved them the embarassment of being knocked out by the championship side. The Gunners would surely be happy with the replay than being eliminated at this stage but Wenger will know they have to play an extra game at this point of the season.

The game against Leeds is important and the French tactician will be forced to play some of his best players for the encounter. But he has admitted that he does not have enough cover in defence if Thomas Vermaelen cannot recover from his injury by the end of January. Johan Djourou played in three games this week but it is still doubtful if he can be used more than twice a week on a regular basis.

Sebastien Squillaci was signed to provide experienced depth to the side but he has found it difficult to adjust to the hardships of the Premier League. He has not enjoyed a good start to his Arsenal career and has already dropped down the order with three players ahead of him at present. Though the French International has the experience, he has not provided a commanding presence at the back which has been lacking in the absence of the Belgian.

Laurent Koscielny has shown he has the talent to be an excellent defender though he has also had an inconsistent start to his Arsenal career. It is clear that this lad will improve with experience and will gain a lot more when Vermaelen is fit again. The former Lorient defender is a player for the future and will benefit from good guidance from the manager and his more experienced team mates.

Arsenal are still challenging for all the four titles and they need quality depth in every position because this is the time of the year when players have to be rotated so that they can perform at good fitness levels. If Vermaelen does suffer another setback, he could be ruled out for the entire season. In that case, Arsenal will not have the depth and Alex Song is too valuable a player to be played in defence because he is not a great defender.

Arsene Wenger said there there was a possibility of them signing a new defender in January and it is unlikely that the Frenchman will invest too much in that department considering that Arsenal have three quality young defenders in Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou and Thomas Vermaelen. Most of the supporters would like Wenger to target a quality centre back like Jan Vertonghen or Per Mertesacker but it is unlikely for such a move to happen in January.

There were reports recently which linked former Arsenal captain Sol Campbell to link up with the Gunners again. Though it is quite possible that it could be just tabloid rumours, all prospects will be evaluated by the shrewd tactician. He provided Campbell with the chance to rebuild his career which he did last season when he signed for the Gunners in January.

The tall defender has huge respect from the Arsenal supporters despite leaving the club twice and Wenger also is an admirer of the Centre Back's fighting qualities. In the context of the recent rumour, let us analyse what the England defender brings to the table for the Gunners.

Advantages

Campbell is one of the most experienced players currently playing in the Premier League and his inputs could be invaluable to youngsters like Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou. It is clear that he has got huge respect for the club and has passion towards it. Arsenal do not have many players who have won many trophies but Campbell is one who has been successful in the past with the Gunners and has seen it all before.

He will provide a lot of fighting spirit for the Gunners and at times, Arsenal tend to give up too easily. The Centre Back has a lot of experience at the highest level and if his performances in the previous season is any indication, he can still add worth to the defence. He has excellent aerial ability and is excellent in dealing with danger. Also, Arsenal lack leadership at the back and Campbell can inspire a lot of confidence within the team at the back.

Disadvantages

If another centre back is signed, then the Gunners will have five defenders if Vermaelen does return in January. Squillaci will move further down the order which would mean that Wenger has lost confident in the French defender. Also, Sol Campbell is 36-years old and is likely to be signed only on a six month deal, which is not likely to cost much considering reports that Alan Pardew is not keen on working with him.

Also Campbell is not the quality player he was in his prime years and his weaknesses could be exploited at the back. Though he has decent pace, he could not play with good fitness levels for the 90 minutes which might prompt a subsitution in the second half. Also, he has not played much for Newcastle and does not look as fit as he was when he played for the Gunners last season. He cannot play three games a week and Arsenal will again have to shell out the money to buy a centre back next summer.

Wenger's Prospects

Arsenal have been linked with a number of defenders including the likes of the powerful Christopher Samba and Per Mertesacker. Though Samba is very dominant in the air, it is still doubtful how he would perform against the likes of technically strong oppositions such as Barcelona and Manchester United. Also, he would not come at a bargain and there might be better options for Arsenal in the summer than spending around 10 million on Samba.

Sol Campbell has been immense for the club in the past and will still fight hard for the club. He commands the defence well and can work on improving the defence of the Gunners. He adds much more than only his defensive qualities which could prove to be pivotal in Arsenal sustaining a consistent title challenge on all fronts.

Arsenal: 6 Reasons Why Laurent Koscielny Will Be a Quality Player In The Future

Arsenal were desperately unfortunate not to earn all the three points against Manchester City at the Emirates but the fact that they did not concede a single goal is a boost to their title hopes. Arsenal's problems this season has been at the back where they have been unable to keep it tight and despite the impressive form of Lukasz Fabianski, the Gunners have had lesser clean sheets than they would have liked.

Wenger was hampered by the injury to Thomas Vermaelen and considering the fact that Johan Djourou has recovered from a long term injury, he has had to pair new signings Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci in a lot of games. However, the partnership has not worked out well and needed a change. With Djourou slowly regaining his full fitness, he has used Djourou more often and the Swiss International has been immense at the back for the Gunners.

Djourou has received a lot of praise and deserves it for his efforts. After such a long injury, few would have predicted him to be in such excellent form this season and he has shown more maturity this season. But some credit should also be given to Laurent Koscielny who has been one half of a successful defensive partnership in the last few games.

The thin Frenchman has endured a lot of criticism since his move to the Emirates but it is easy to see that the former Lorient man has the talent to be a quality defender. He has improved as the season has gone on and has already established himself ahead of Sebastien Squillaci in the team.

It is clear that Koscielny still has some flaws in his game but he is only in his second season at the highest level. he has been responsible for some of the goals that the Gunners have conceded but has looked assured after the initial shaky performances.

His two red cards and many yellow cards did not help his cause at the start of the season but he seems to have improved and is important to the Gunners this season. There are many supporters who still question his ability but here are five reasons why he can be immense for the Gunners in the future.

1. Tenacity and Brave Attitude

The French defender has been at the end of some very tough challenges right from his first game for Arsenal. But the youngster has not been afraid to step out from challenges; on the contrary, he has displayed doggedness on a number of occasions. Though he has sustained a lot of cuts and bruises in his short career, he has shown the willingness to fight.

2. Excellent Anticipation on One vs. One situations

Though he has been caught out of position at times earlier in the season, he has shown good anticipation in one on one situations. He has been good in spotting danger and clearing the ball. He generally does not lose his calm and does not do something too impulsive. He has shown good ability in these situations and it is important to have such a player at the back.

3. Good Aerial Ability

He has not been dominating at the back and when he played alongside Sebastien Squillaci, the partnership conceded many goals because of their inability to win the aerial duels on some occasions. However though Koscielny has not been outstanding in the air, he has certainly demonstrated that he can win his fair share of headers though he has to improve on the power of his headers.

4. Good Understanding of the game and makes Crucial Interceptions

Koscielny has made some errors that have been costly but he has good understanding of the game and has the ability to make crucial interceptions. In the game against Chelsea, though Djourou was instrumental in not providing any space to Didier Drogba, Koscielny ensured that there was hardly any service to the forward. He has the ability to react quickly and cut out killer passes. He also agressively attacks the ball and sometimes wins the ball in the opposition's half because of that.

5. Technically Good for a Defender

Laurent Koscielny has shown composure on the ball and has adapted well to the Arsenal style of play. He has shown good ability to distribute the ball and bring out the ball from the back. Thomas Vermaelen is very good at this but in his absence, Koscielny has done it quite well and had a very good game with regard to this against Manchester United.

6. Experience will make him better

The French defender has played only one season at top level before being signed by Arsenal. It was a meteoric rise to stardom for the youngster but with experience he will go on to be a better player. It is clear that he plays better alongside Johan Djourou but the return of Thomas Vermaelen will be important for the development of the defender. Vermaelen and Koscielny could form a good strong partnership at the heart of defence and could be rotated with Johan Djourou who has also shown he could be a first choice Centre Back in the near future.