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Defensive faith
01-01-04

"Which position do Arsenal need to strengthen during the summer"? - This could be a typical poll question asked on any football website or fanzine and many a gooner would have identified a central defender as the main target had this question been asked last summer.

On paper Arsenal looked short, short in the sense of the number of players who had played and performed at the very highest level and consistently produced top class performances. There were individual and collective errors from the defensive unit and that to some extent harmed our chances of retaining the Premiership crown.

And yet as we started the 2003-04 there was not one new addition in Arsenal's defence with the exception of promising Phillipe Senderos who as of yet has not figured so how come Arsenal now boast the best defensive record in the Premiership? Just 12 conceded in 19 games. How come Arsenal are unbeaten half way through the season in all domestic competitions?

Arsene Wenger didn't have millions to spend to go rebuilding but he didn't need to for Arsenal already had many of the reasons for the sides improvement at the club. Namely Kolo Toure and Pascal Cygan. Yes Pascal Cygan has quietly produced several top quality performances and now Lauren is struggling to regain his place in the Arsenal side, with the clubs other big impact player in Arsenal's defence currently operating at right back - Kolo Toure.

So Arsenal now have Keown and Lauren on the sidelines and that shows the depth we have now and at last we have a out and out left back as cover for Cole in 18 year old Clichy who hasn't looked out of place at all when he's been called upon in Cole's absence.

I've often said players need a year to adapt, especially foreign players. Fans are often more than willing to forgive a palyer for missing a chance or giving the ball away if it's a midfielder or attacker such as Pires, Bergkamp or Henry when they were finding their feet but defensive errors usually are more costly or at least more noticed to us the fans of the club.

I think most fans would agree Cygan was at fault positionally a few times last season but he's found some consistency this season. Meanwhile Toure has simply been nothing short of stunning at right or centre back and that has begun a debate. Cygan or Lauren? It's an interesting one. I wouldn't have dared move Kolo Toure after starting so well in the centre back role this season but Wenger did it and credit to Arsene for being brave enough to do so as Kolo has produced the goods at right back too and more than that Cygan has shown his worth.

Lauren now has a battle on his hands to get back in the side, a huge battle make no mistake about that. Infact is it a coincidence that we are a better defensive unit without Lauren in the side? Too early to tell, I'll let you decide but it's Wenger who will have to make the choice. If it's Cygan and Toure where does that leave Lauren? Midfield?

Jens Lehmann a £750k signing is the final major reason for Arsenal's improvement at the back. He's commanding, controls his area and takes a lot of crosses from the air and he has gained the trust of his defence which is something that perhaps Seaman was losing in his last few seasons at the club.

The result of Arsenal's improvement is that they can now win 1-0. Blackburn recently had 50% possession of the ball at Highbury but Arsenal were still able to win 1-0. Further the Gunners were able to win 1-0 in their latest match away to Southampton where the Arsenal defence was rarely troubled. Bolton are worth a mention in this debate, Arsenal that time failed to win when they were a goal up but I would argue there that it was not due to a lapse or concentration just shear pressure and Bolton deserved their point that time around.

For us the fans there is now new found defensive faith in the Arsenal that they can defend a single goal lead successfully without giving us the fans a heart attack in the meantime!