Squad Profile: Defenders

Next, it's time to look at Arsenal's defenders. This summer we've signed Mikael Silvestre and released Senderos and Traore on loan (the Senderos one looks light it might be permanent). So, now we'll cover the rest of the defenders. A final note, Alex Song will be included in the defenders even though his best position is probably midfield. And I didn't have time to get individual pictures, but I have made a collage of them below. On to the review...

Bacary Sanga no. 3
Pos.: RB (Right Back)
OVR: 85 (See OVR key at bottom)
Analysis:
Bac Sanga was one of Arsene Wenger's best ever signings. He made an impact immediately after signing and now looks like he's been at Arsenal for years. He's fast, quick to turn, attacks and crosses well, and he defends excellently, almost never being caught out of position. It's hard to find any flaws in this guy, and he's usually one of the first guys on any one's team sheet. Sanga was voted by his fellow professionals as the best RB in the Premiership last season, an accolade he well deserves. He and his compatriot Clichy are quite possibly the best fullbacks we've ever had.

Kolo Touré no. 5
Pos.: Primary-CB (Centre Back), RB, RM (Right Midfield)
OVR: 86
Analysis:
Kolo Touré is the longest serving current Arsenal player and fits in well in both centre back as well as on the right side of the pitch. Some have suggested adding another position to his already large list, that of Defensive, or Holding, Midfielder (DM), but Arsene Wenger has said that his body just wouldn't be up to the task. But nevertheless, Touré is one of our best players. He was rarely injured last year and provided cover for Sanga when he was lost to injury. Also, when Kolo left for the ANC in January, our backline began to show its cracks (the same can be said for Sanga). Touré is one of those players who you don't always notice until he's gone, at which times he leaves a gaping hole in our defense. I like Touré; he's fairly tall, a good recoverer: his quick tracking back has saved us on numerous occasions. He can also pass well. What more can be said? This guy's a rock in our defense.

William Gallas no.10
Pos.: CB, LB (on occasion)
OVR: 84
Analysis:
Gallas is our controversial captain and thus the first name on Arsene Wenger's team sheet every match. He's a good defender by himself, falling into the same mold as Touré: quick to track back, loves to venture forward, and is fairly fast. However he and Kolo aren't the tallest of defenders and both are better when paired with a big, tall centre half. The fact that Gallas and Touré are so similar makes our central defensive pairing sometimes a bit weak. High balls are especially a weakness, but that is to be expected with mither center back being tall and strong. A discussion of Gallas's leadership qualities merits an entire article in itself, so I won't go into to much detail here, but let's just say he wears his heart on his sleeve, as it were. A colourful captain to be sure.

Alexandre Song no.17
Pos.: CB, DM (Defensive, or Holding Midfield)
OVR: 79
Analysis:
Alex Song is a wonderful prospect, but I think he's a prospect in midfield. Okay, he did perform admirably last season in the centre of defense, especially against Man Utd, but he plays so much better, in my opinion, in midfield. Whilst being a good tackler of the ball, Song can also pick out pinpoint passes and is a tough, no nonsense character. I remember in one such game last year against Blackburn in the League Cup. Song, in midfield (whether he was playing there or venturing forward I don't recall) picked out a beautiful pass forward to Eduardo which led to the winning goal in extra time. Song also plays in DM for his country and Wenger would to well to give him a run of games in that position.

Mikael Silvestre no.18
Pos.: CB, LB
OVR.: 81
Analysis:
As one online article put it,

"Silvestre is equally as numbered (wearing the no. 18), bald, and left-footed as another former Frenchman we at Arsenal used to know. Let's hope he plays better than that man did."

I wish I could remember where I read that, but nonetheless it is a succinct assesment of what I, and probably most Arsenal fans, think about our new signing. He has an impressive CV and came in at a dirt-cheap price (only 750k) and is a very experienced player. But the question we must ask is, is he good enough? Le Boss certainly thinks so, and I'll admit, Mikael has been good in the past, but doesn't it say something that Man Utd no longer wanted him? They were about to sell him to their rivals accross town before we stepped in with our bid. Do we really need a Man Utd reject to strengthen our defense?

Johan Djourou no.20
Pos.: CB, DM (old position, he favours it)
OVR: 79
Analysis:
I was ready to write Djourou off at the end of last season as a failed Arsene Wenger experiement. Great promise, but had a terrible time of it last season both on loan and here in London. But Djourou's performances the first part of this year have really changed my mind. With Touré out with malaria the past few weeks, Djourou has really stepped up. He played so well in fact that when Touré finally did get fit again, I and a few other gooners weren't sure if he should be dropped. He has improved tremendously, and has proven to be great cover for the centre back position. While the man himself would rather play in midfield, I and certainly Arsene Wenger believes he has a great future ahead of him at CB.

Gael Clichy no.22
Pos.: LB
OVR: 86
Analysis:
In August of 2006, Arsene Wenger made one of the best deals he will ever make in his managerial career. He traded a certain man named Cashley or something like that (I hate that man) to Chelsea in exchange for Gallas, and indeed we also got Clichy. Gallas came in and became our hotheaded captain. Clichy stepped up and became arguably the world's best left back. The Frenchmen (who, along with Sanga was inexplicably left out of France's squad for EURO 2008) is speedy, a wonderful crosser, has a great overlap, is a great passer, and always tracks back in time to cut out attacks. He also is developing a venomous left foot, as shown with his blistering strike against both Newcastle at the weekend and FC Twente in the Champions League. He does make one or two mistakes, but they are so rare that every one is memorable. He was voted last season's 2nd best Arsenal player, behind only Cesc Fabregas and is always a candidate for Man of the Match. What more can I say except that we are fortunate enough to have a future legendary left back in our midst.

A midfield review is coming up later, and it may be split into two parts, we'll see. Anyway, keep reading and coming back for more!

Key:

0-29: Sunday league player

30-49: Non league or youth academy level

50-59: Plays at League One or Two level.

60-69: Growing prospect or ageing star close to retirement. Championship level.

70-79: Mid-to-Bottom table Premier League level. Good, solid, but not world-class.

80-89: Belongs at a big four club. Top quality player, very good.

90-99: Legendary. Only players who are, were, or could be one of the best players of all time in their position fall into this category. Examples include Pelé, Henry, C. Ronaldo, Baresi.