Arsenal’s defensive frailties are well documented, in fact, it feels like I blog about nothing else but at the heart of that weakness are Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny.
When they were first paired at the heart of the Arsenal back line, expectations were high and it appeared, for a while at least, that Mustafi was the perfect partner for the Frenchman, but that initial optimism dissipated when it became clear they were incapable of working together effectively.
This has been the case ever since Mustafi apparently fell out with the Frenchman early into his Arsenal experience and the pair haven’t been able to find common ground since. It’s alleged that Mustafi had a superior air about him, a consequence of winning the World Cup, whilst Koscielny felt that he was the more experienced player within the Arsenal squad and as a result, was entitled to be viewed and respected as the senior partner.
Despite this piffling, handbags standoff, the pair should at least have been able to perform on the pitch, to a standard befitting their ability but the simple truth is that the ongoing spat has affected their individual game and ultimately cost Arsenal a bucketful of points.
You may recall that Mustafi, was on the verge of an Arsenal exit last season but was retained only because the North London club were unable to find a suitable replacement. This was Wenger throwing his support behind his fellow Frenchman and trying to resolve the problem but he failed.
They had been thrown together and kept together because of circumstances but it was to prove detrimental to the team. Now with the arrival of a more defensive-minded manager, it will be a problem that will be swiftly resolved one way or another. It depends on your preferences but I’ve always felt that Wenger overhyped Koscielny as a genuine World class defender.
On his day, he was reasonably solid, brave and alert but he was never consistent, lacked strength and was never vocal enough to lead the defence. Mustafi’s key asset is the strength but he is easily pulled out of position and lacks spatial awareness, having said that, he represents a more formidable figure than the Arsenal captain.
Arsenal have been accused of lacking leadership for some time but this is particularly true in defence. It’s an area that requires a screamer, a shouter, a player barking orders to others, pointing an outstretched finger to gaps that need plugging. Someone in authority who is able to organise and instruct, praise and reprimand, motivate and encourage. Neither Mustafi or Koscielny is that type of player but perhaps given a different, stronger partner either one would flourish.
If reports are to be believed Arsenal are about to buy four central defenders. I’m being sarcastic at this point but the Gunners are heavily linked with that area, which could indicate that either Mustafi or Koscielny could be heading away from the Emirates. Given the choice, and age is a factor here, Emery could yet afford Mustafi the Arsenal career he craved and with clear and precise guidance, he could still be moulded into a credible defensive force.
Much will depend on how the coach sorts out the holding midfielder vacancy, which has proved to be an insufferable headache over the last eight or more seasons. Is he buying or converting an existing player into the role to provide a defensive shield?. Granit Xhaka has proved disappointing in his attempts, Elneny similarly vulnerable, all of which suggests, that Arsenal require fresh legs and someone already versed in the position. For Unai Emery, it may be a case of working backward. The strikers are already established, the midfield needs adjustments but beyond that, is where the puzzle appears.
