Arsenal fans will be eagerly awaiting further transfer news about any more incoming players to the club, with just young left back Cohen Bramell the only player through the doors so far this January. But it is instead two defenders which now seem to be on their way out of the club, is what is currently dominating the Arsenal news in the media.
Carl Jenkinson and Mathieu Debuchy are two Arsenal defenders whom look to have lost their way with football at Arsenal. Neither are getting game time and when given the rare opportunity, injury has prevailed or they have failed to impress. It’s gotten to the stage where both players have had a lengthy period to consider their futures at Arsenal, and I think both will agree that their Arsenal careers look to be over for good.
Arsene Wenger has revealed today that both Jenkinson and Debuchy could leave in this January window. Jenkinson is reportedly on the verge of a permanent move to Crystal Palace, with a rumour suggesting a price of around £3 million. Debuchy on the other hand isn’t currently in any talks with a club, but the door remains open for him to leave if interest is formed in the player.
Personally I think it would be a risky decision for Arsene Wenger to let both players go in one transfer window, especially as that eliminates all our back up options who have Premier League experience. Wenger does have Maitland-Niles in the Under 21’s who he has used on occasion, but not in the Premier League. Whilst Gabriel is predominately a centre back rather than a right back. The same case goes for Calum Chambers, who despite being out on loan anyway, has proven in the past that being played at right back, is not his best strength.
If Jenkinson and Debuchy were to leave in the same window, that would leave Bellerin as the sole right back at the club with experience in the Premier League, which is a real concern if the Spaniard was to get suspended or injured.
Bellerin is actually injured at this minute and so it remains unknown as to who will replace him for this weekend’s Premier League fixture. If both Jenkinson and Debuchy are almost out the door, I’d expect Gabriel to feature at right back once more, or perhaps Wenger will give young Rob Holding a chance to shine, albeit in an unfamiliar position.
The only way I think it would be a good move to let both players go, is if Wenger has real plans of promoting from the Under 21’s or if he’s lining up a replacement right back in this transfer window to cover for Bellerin. But are either of those outcomes really that likely with Le Prof?
By AH
One thing I’ve learned this season is that a good bench is as important as a top starting line.
Many of our back ups are not good enough in my opinion : Jenkinson, Eleny, Gabs, Ramsey. On the left Monreal and Gibbs have also been so so.
We do not have adequate cover for Coquelin
Defensively I think we need :
1. Another solid CB
2. A better lb than Monreal and Gibbs
3. Solid backup for Bellerin
We are letting in far too many goals
As for backup for Cazorla. Well we have Xhaka who will get better next season and we will get Wilshere back next season. So we should be fine
However, I think we should get a good CM who can also play CAM.
We need another WC forward imo
But in my opinion we need to sort out our Defensive line as a priority