Arsene Wenger has finally conceded that his team lack a “commanding” presence at the back, a flaw which will force him into the transfer market this summer, reports the Mail this morning.
Wenger’s critics have long since blamed Arsenal’s problems on an absence of powerful centre-halves but the manager has always resisted the pressure to change.
Last year, the paper says he refused to pay over the odds for Everton’s Phil Jagielka or Gary Cahill of Bolton but spent £13million on French defensive duo Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci. Neither have looked entirely at ease in English football. To be fair we have been without TV5 for most of the season.
“We don’t attack the ball enough, nobody’s commanding,” said Wenger. “We made one mistake too many. It’s difficult to understand. We didn’t look alert. We concede two goals from two corners and, when you play for such a big stake, it’s too much.
“It is frustrating because you produce the effort. The team has had an outstanding attitude and they will not be rewarded because the small things cost you a lot.”
On transfers, the paper adds that Wenger said: “We have to strengthen the squad where it needs and make the right decision on that front. It is always on my mind, every day. Don’t think it’s not on my mind.”
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