The UEFA Champions league was the scene once again the setting for Arsenal’s failings, Arsenal have not made it out from the Round of 16 in the past 4 years and it does not seem likely that the team from London would be able to make it to the next round after a rather dire display at home to a Monaco team who were missing 5 first team players and had already lost Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez at the start of the season.
Arsenal’s gung ho approach has been criticised as they expected the game to be rather easy and Arsene Wenger’s comments of his team suicidal defending will not go down well with Arsenal fans, who have been banging a drum regarding the need for better defenders and some presence and steel in midfield which has been missing from Arsenal for a long time.
Arsenal might have bought Gabriel Paulista but there needs to be a massive revamp at the centre back spot for Arsenal if they are to avoid such horrendous outings time and time again in the Champions League. It is something of a tough situation, Arsenal have done alright in the league in recent games and are up to third in the Premier League, but that obviously is not enough for a club as big as Arsenal who are expected to challenge regularly for trophies rather than be out of the running from almost all competitions at this stage of the season.
Goodbye to one German, hello to another?
Per Mertesacker might be one of the better defenders in the league but his lack of pace has always been questions and that was on show against Monaco as well, the world cup winner was possibly to blame for the first goal as he turned his back on a Kondogbia shot, which took a deflection and ended up beating Ospina, who himself did not provide much support to the fact that he could be a better goalkeeper than the other Arsenal goalie.
Mertesacker has often been called out for his performances and it seems that age and a lack of pace is getting up to him, it might be time for Arsenal to dig into the coffers and buy a new defender. Mats Hummels has been targeted a lot by managers and signing him would be one of the best deals that Arsene would pull off, he has spent money time and time again but Arsene would probably end up signing another young defender and play Nacho Monreal as centre back.
Time might be running out not only for Per, but for Arsene as well. There have been a lot of questions about his stubbornness in dealing with the defensive problems which has come to light time and time again. Arsenal need to invest in another good defender who can provide cover for the centre backs, they have to spend big to get back on track or they could see another 9 seasons before they get another trophy.