Wenger After a Defender

By Nick Lander

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he is looking to bring in a midfielder to replace Alex Song, but also revealed that he is looking for a defensive addition too.

Talking to ArsenalPlayer after the Sunderland draw Wenger divulged that he is looking for a new defender, saying, "we are looking to bring one more midfielder in [to replace Alex Song], of course, and maybe one defender as well, because we feel still that we are short in some positions."

Nuri Sahin is expected to fill the midfield vacancy, with his signing expected to be announced tomorrow or Wednesday, after the Real Madrid midfielder snubbed interest from Liverpool and Spurs to join the Gunners for the season. Some believe, myself included, that there will be a second arrival in midfield, as a direct replacement for Song, you can read my thoughts on the candidates here.

That there are plans afoot for a defensive recruit is something which has flown relatively under the radar so far this summer, the only real speculation of a defensive addition being that Philippe Mexes may join from AC Milan in a swap deal for striker Nicklas Bendtner.

There are cases to be made for Wenger to strengthen in any of the defensive positions, some remain unconvinced by Carl Jenkinson as cover at right back (although I feel he turned in a strong defensive performance against Sunderland, and games can only do him good), whilst Kyle Bartley's move to Swansea may open up a space in the squad for a central defender. However, with Ignasi Miquel so close to becoming a permanent fixture in the first team - perhaps after spending time out on loan later this season - I doubt that this is where the Gunners are looking to strengthen.

At left back it is an entirely different prospect. Kieran Gibbs seems to be Wenger's first choice, but he has suffered a number of injuries in the past. Andre Santos was signed last summer to compete for the starting berth, but his defending has been poor at times and plain old unconvincing at others. Whilst I do not see him as someone who is about to be sold, I wonder if we may see him playing on the left of the front three more this season, as was experimented with during the Asian leg of Arsenal's pre-season.

Who will come in is a complete mystery. Mexes has been linked, but I imagine Arsenal would rather have cash for the want-away Bendtner. Another name in the frame has been that of Swansea City's Angel Rangel. With so little speculation in the press, I would expect that the defender will come in right at the last minute, maybe there will be some deadline day excitement for the second year in a row!

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