The defense was what denied Arsenal the win against Liverpool last night. With a barely recovered Thomas Vermaelen and missing a strong defensive midfielder, the gunners face yet another problem that must be fixed within the next 24 hours. Arsenal’s left back, Kieran Gibbs, finished the game limping. According to Wenger, his starting player is going to be out for at least three weeks. The Frenchmen said he is looking everywhere to find and sign a new left back, but considering the fact that the transfer period is almost over he might settle with bringing someone on loan. Although Andre Santos can be a solution, the gunners’ coach is reluctant about the Brazilian’s ability to fulfill his duties just as well as Gibbs did. Furthermore, rumors have it Santos is just one step away from returning to his previous squad. Both Fenerbahce and the player seem to be keen on working together as long as they reach an agreement regarding his salary.
Wenger admitted his need for someone to take Gibbs’s place but didn’t express interest for someone in particular. Arsenal looked into Southampton’s Luke Shaw and also seemed keen on placing a bid on Everton’s Leighton Baines a while back, but chances are neither of the two will ever end up playing for the gunners.
A transfer must be made as the defense choices are currently pretty thin. Arsenal is going to be involved in three major competitions during the next weeks and another injury would really be an issue as far as the defense goes. With matches being played every three days or so, the gunners are in desperate need for a left-back or a center-back who can keep up with the team’s expectations and live up to Champion League and Premier League demands.
Recent rumors also say that Wenger might be interested in signing Cameroon defender, Gaëtan Bong, who is currently playing for Valenciennes. The 24 year old was part of the U21 national French team that also incorporated Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud, so moving to Arsenal should be a positive change in his career and he should have no problem fitting in at the Emirates.
Two other possible targets might be able to fit Arsenal’s profile. One is PSV’s Jetro Willems. The 18 year old has already been on Wenger’s list since the beginning of the transfer period. The Dutchman is not just a temporary solution and he is seen as one of the best young players in European football. The second target for replacing Gibbs for at least the past three weeks is Inter’s Alvaro Pereiera, who has yet to find his place in Italian football.
In other news Wenger said that David Villa is a closed chapter. Barcelona refused Arsenal’s last bid yesterday but the French coach said fans should not be concerned about their team scoring sheet. Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott are in the top 10 goal scorers of this Premier League season and Podolski and Cazorla are close by. David Beckham is also a thing of the past as the former English captain decided to sign with PSG this morning.