Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted to strengthen his defense in the upcoming January transfer window. The French manager has also accepted that he should have plugged the defensive problems in the summer. The International break has been hard on the Gunners. While midfielder Mesut Ozil has been ruled out for 10-12 weeks, defender Laurent Kocielny was sent home from France’s team camp.
The centre back was said to have been suffering with chronic tendinitis of both achilles tendons for several months. However, its is expected that the injury isn’t quite serious. But there are doubts on whether Koscielny would be able to make the starting line up against Hull City in the weekend.
Summer signing Mathieu Debuchy had earlier suffered an ankle injury which has made him a long term casualty. This has forced Wenger to play youngster Calum Chambers at right back. But the youngster is suspended against Hull having picked up 5 yellow cards in the League this season. Its now likely that Spanish full back Nacho Monreal will have to partner Per Mertesacker in the heart of the Arsenal defense.
Wenger who celebrates his 18th anniversary as Arsenal boss claimed, “I agree we could have bought one more player. We didn’t find. We will try in December to rectify that because we are a bit short with the injuries we have and, overall, I think we will rectify that on the transfer market in January.”
On a different note, Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis said that the club’s biggest challenge will be finding Arsene Wenger’s replacement when the Frenchman leaves. “The biggest challenge we’re going to face as a club is that transition from Arsene to the next manager. We have a giant who’s managing us. Arsene has put the club in a great, great position.”
Wenger who will turn 65 later this moth had earlier signed a contract extension for 3 years with the Gunners in May after winning the FA Cup. The win over Hull City at Wembley ended Arsenal’s 8 year long trophy drought.
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