It seems that during the summer a lot of people were pleading for us to get a new defender. I preached patience and said that a renewed TEAM effort would help and that Cygan would settle in. I think for the most part I have been proven right. However, I must say that even I did acknowledge that the defense would be a danger area.
At the halfway point however it has turned out to be a strong point. We have six clean sheets in our last nine games and have allowed the fewest goals in the Premiership.
Campbell has performed well, as has Ashley Cole. Kolo Toure has been terrific and Cygan has done admirably well lately. Lauren has had a bit of an off year I would say. Clichy, in his recent opportunities looks good, especially for an 18-year old. Still waiting in the wings are Senderos, Garry and Hoyte, plus perhaps Volz if we bring him back from loan.
Overall I think the back looks pretty solid. In fact, I think we could probably test the waters to see if Lauren has interest for anyone. I hate to deplete the side, especially of a player who, when healthy, is part of the mix, but I think we have good short term cover and could use the money he would bring in to get a true right back, which he is not.
4 Responses to “The Defense Rests Its Case”
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December 31st, 2003 at 6:15 pm
I agree with what your saying, but the papers in england are saying that fulham are on the brink of buying voltz, so it looks as if we gonna hold on to lauren. And i feel that if wenger saw a future for voltz at arsenal he wouldve brought him back from fulham when lauren was suspended instead of moving toure from centre back where he looked so comfortable.
January 1st, 2004 at 10:16 am
You gotta love the defense. Full credit to AW–he said over the summer that the team was going to have to be slightly more cautious attacking and focus on defending. That’s exactly what they’ve done. And it never woulda happened without Kolo. What an unbelievable player. He could play just about anywhere Wenger wants him to, but I think his speed and fearless attitude work best on the right side.
Anxious for Senderos to heal up so he can show why all Europe’s top clubs were after him.
January 1st, 2004 at 9:13 pm
what about Gael Clichy?!!
I don’t think we missed Ashley Cole very much while he was out… Clichy played very well…
Keown can’t even get into a match because Cygan has played so well of late…
I think thats why Volz is not really needed at the moment… who would he play ahead of?
I am not sure if Lauren can get back into the starting line-up at the moment!!
January 2nd, 2004 at 12:30 pm
If Senderos is as good as they say, I’d love a Toure`, Senderos, Campbell, Cole back line. That’s a future back line. For now. I think we alter the back line (which admittedly may be dangerous) according to the opposition. Clubs with weak strikers, keep Cygan in the middle and Toure` at RB. Against good strikers put Toure` in the middle and Lauren at RB. Or start Cygan and if it seems he’s getting beat, then bring him out of the game, move Toure` to CB and Lauren to RB.