Even in Soccer, Defense Wins Championships

Arsenal can be a joy to watch in most matches. The quick movements and smooth passing plays generated by the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Andrei Arshavin and Jack Wilshere in the midfield, finished off by the immensely talented Robin Van Persie or the clinical Samir Nasri can thoroughly impress even most ardent Manchester United or Tottenham fan. Yet, with all the technical brilliance and flash of Arsenal's offensive players over the past 5 seasons, the team has been unable to win a trophy, let alone the Premier League title. It seems as though the Gunners may finally end their silverware drought this year, with a win in the Carling Cup final as the most likely outcome, but the biggest prizes, the Premier League and Champion's League trophies, will be the toughest to come by for the Gunners.

For most, being 4 points off of the Premier League lead is by no means an insurmountable deficit. But the Gunners will most likely lag farther behind Manchester United because they lack one especially important characteristic of a championship winning team: a strong and confident pairing in the centre of defense. The Gunners has given up a total of 27 goals in 25 matches so far this season, 5 more than the league leaders in that department, Chelsea and Manchester City. But, unlike those two teams and Manchester United, Arsenal lacks a confident defensive partnership at centre back and the depth in defense to address injuries that inevitably occur throughout the season. Chelsea's central defenders provide a blend of young and older talent with John Terry, Alex, Branislav Ivanovic and new addition David Luiz. Manchester City boasts the impressive collection of Kolo Toure, Vincent Kompany, Micah Richards, Jerome Boateng and Joleon Lescott among their defensive stalwarts. While, league leaders Manchester United boasts two of the world's best defenders in Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, but also have a full stable of solid depth players who can fit into the squad in times of injury or suspension. The Gunners do not have this luxury.

A makeshift pairing of Johann Djourou and Laurent Koscielny has played admirably in the absence of Arsenal's most talented (and injured) central defender, Thomas Vermaelen. Koscielny has made a great transition to the English game in his first year with Arsenal, while Djourou finally seems to be reaching the heights that were expected of him when he arrived at the Emirates Stadium. Individually, both Koscielny and Djourou are a major upgrade from the last year's horror show on grass, the aged and accident prone Mikael Silvestre, but still lack the muscle that Sol Campbell brought to last year's team. While, Sebastian Squillaci, whom Arsene Wenger acquired from Sevilla during the summer, has had a horrendous first 5 and a half months in England. The Frenchman has been caught out of position, out muscled by forwards and has provided panicked service at the back for the Gunners. Not the traits you want out of your third defensive option. For all his eccentricities, the Gunners would have definitely benefited from keeping the services of their skilled (and sometimes crazed!) former captain William Gallas, who is now plying his trade down the road at Tottenham.

The Gunners now find themselves in a more precarious position as Johann Djourou has gone down with a knee injury, which he suffered in Saturday's devastating draw against Newcastle. A pairing of Koscielny and Squillaci will now face the likes of Barcelona's Lionel Messi, David Villa and Xavi, in next week's Champion's League knockout round game. This upcoming match-up against arguably the world's best team has Arsenal fans wishing their manager had invested in some defensive help during the January transfer window. The loss of Vermaelen, who is expected to be on the sidelines for another month, will continue to hurt the Gunners significantly, but even with the Belgian in the line-up, the Gunners have an undersized and under skilled defensive core.

The injured Belgian is sorely missed in Arsenal's defense 

One of the main factors in Arsenal's last Premier League title triumph and the unbeaten season of 2003-04 was undoubtedly a solid defensive core, anchored by Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure. Arsenal's current team lacks this presence. The Gunners will continue to play breathtaking soccer this year, by controlling the possession of the ball and slicing through opposing team's defenses. They always do. Yet, as the recent past has shown, whenever a formidable opposing team, such as Barcelona, or Manchester United takes an equal share of the possession and attacks the heart of Arsenal's defense, the Gunners crumble. Oddly enough, these are the same two teams that Arsenal will have to defeat to achieve their goals of Champions League and Premier League success this season. Without a defense? Better luck next year.