Defense doesn't win games but it can lose them!
Then great Arsenal sides were built on a strong core defensive unit to complement the always explosive attack under manager Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal leaked 18 goals in the entire 98/99 campaign, a side lead by Tony Adams who partnered with the consistent Martin Keown and the sure handed David Seaman.
This season Arsenal reached that 18 goal mark just two months in after the humiliating Old Trafford drubbing.
However since the return of Thomas Vermaelen, settling down of giant Per Mertasacker and emergence of Wojech Szcesny, the gunners defense has looked much more secure if not for the odd individual error.
Perhaps the most suprising evolution has been in frenchmen Laurent Koscielny. After single handedly throuwing last years carling cup away he has excelled the season in multiple positions, becoming one of the most consistent defenders in a league were centre back quality is at an all time low.
Koscielny possesses outstanding pace, decent leaping ability, good on the ball and is one of the best one on one defenders around. His reading of the play and awarness must improve, but as his experience grows that will surely develop.Mertasacker is a world class defender who despite lacking pace reads the play and uses his significant height to his advantage. Arsenal's real leader on the park is Belgian Thomas Vermaelen. The former Ajax player has tremendous quality in a defensive and attacking sense. His only real downfall is his tendency to overplay and overcomplicate situations, a trait easy to diminish.
Full back has been a major problem this year for Arsenal due to injuries, but their is real quality in the position when fully fit. Bacary Sagna (right back) and Keiran Gibbs (left back) offer real pace and attacking ability while sometimes left wondering in defence can recover quick enough on most occasions.
With the eventual return of Jack Wilshere to the side along with the continue development of players like Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, the gunners midfield stocks are abudant in young talent with keen attitude to defend as much as attack.
Theo Walcott, Gervinho and Andrey Arshavin leave Arsenal's wings free and contribute to alot of scoring chances and goals. Perhaps a 4-4-2 is a wiser option to provide more cover to the back four.
Arsenal best line-up defensively:
Szcesny
Sagna Mertasacker Koscielny Vermaelen
Oxlade-Chamberlain Ramsey Wilshere Benayoun
Van Persie Walcott
