Defensive midfielder who can play in back four is a priority
Sunday 24 August 2014 20:57, UK
Glenn Hoddle says Arsenal’s draw with Everton shows they need to sign another defensive player in order to challenge for trophies.
Arsene Wenger’s side battled back from 2-0 down to snatch a point at Goodison Park through goals from Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud – and can go into the second leg of their Champions League Play-Off against Besiktas with confidence.
However, Sky Sports pundit Hoddle says the squad is still not big enough and Arsenal need to sign a player who can play in midfield and cover at centre-half.
He told Saturday Night Football: “They’ve got enough going forward, fabulous midfield players and Giroud with Sanchez or whatever. That’s not a problem.
“In a perfect world I would look for a real holding midfield player that can be his fourth centre-half, a player who can sit in the centre of midfield, but if you need a fourth centre-half then he can slip in there and play that role.
“Chambers is a good prospect, but it’s still a risk. He’s got a lot to learn, as he proved today. Can you put your hat on him for the whole season? I’m not so sure.
“If they get an injury at the back they are going to need him to come in and in central midfield they need to tighten it up a little bit more.
“When you’re playing in the Champions League as well – hopefully they’ll get through – that’s when the real tests will come. It’s a big, big ask for that squad defensively.”
Wenger named Giroud on the bench for the game at Everton with Alexis Sanchez starting up front on his own, but brought the Frenchman on to rescue the game in the second half.
And Hoddle said Arsenal looked much stronger with him providing a focal point for the team.
“They got themselves back in the game through Giroud,” he added.
“He came on and gave them the focal point. Away from home he held the ball up for them and in the first half they had no-one that could hold the ball up, get the midfield players supporting and get Arsenal up the football pitch into the last third.
“Once Arsenal get into the last third they’ll cause havoc, but in the first half they couldn’t do it. Giroud gave them that and gave them the basis to go and play.
“Wilshere joined in, Chamberlain was crating some work and Ozil is always going to be a danger with the ball in the last third.”
