Everyone associated with football in some form or the other will be aware of the issue Arsenal fans have been clashing with over Arsene Wenger. The Gunners have been known to play attractive, easy on the eye football with crisp passing and intelligent movement. But while they have been able to maintain their position in the Top 4, the title-charge the club of this stature must produce, has been missing. And there have been multiple reasons for this, but mainly three aspects of this team stood out.
Ever since Arsene seemingly got satisfied fighting for the 4th spot they have not invested in a world-class striker or a proper back-up to Mertesacker and Koscielny and their midfield was considered too lightweight for a club fighting in the Champions Trophy and the Premier League. While the Gunners have moved to address the lack of robustness in the midfield by signing Granit Xhaka and a search for a striker is well and truly on, defensive issues are yet to be resolved.
But latest reports have indicated after the injury to Mertesacker, Arsenal are actively looking to sign a proper back-up for in the central defensive area. With the Manchester clubs strengthening considerably and Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham splashing the cash, Wenger has to move and move quickly to address these long-standing issues.
And if recent murmurs are to be believed Wenger has re-ignited his interest in Swansea City and Wales national team captain Ashley Williams. The experienced defender has regularly been linked with Arsenal in various transfer windows and this time around it has been no different. Williams will provide Premier league experience and unquestionable pedigree having marshalled the Swansea backline during two successive promotions into the Premier League and he has not looked out of place whatsoever.
He provides reliability and an almost blemish-free injury track record having missed a meagre 2 games in the league last season. He has featured in over 300 matches for the Welsh club and has been a rock at the back for them. He repeatedly puts his body on the line and consistently produces the most number of tackles and interceptions in every match. His proactive approach to defending and his ability to stick into opposition attackers will be a welcome change for Arsenal. He is a threat at both ends of the pitch and what stands out in this all-action defender is his passing ability which is surprisingly competent and will help him to merge into the playing style of the Gunners if a move indeed materialises.
