Arsenal have a defensive injury crisis, and Arsene Wenger seems to be the only person who doesn’t know.
The Gunners travelled to California with the very realistic prospect of Calum Chambers playing alongside new-boy Rob Holding in the centre of defence against the MLS All Star XI.
Neither Per Mertesacker nor Gabriel made the trip, due to injury and illness respectively, while Laurent Koscielny has been given extra time off after his Euro 2016 exploits with France.
With that in mind, you might expect Wenger to be on the market for a new centre-back. Maybe someone like the very available Shkodran Mustafi.
This is Arsene Wenger we’re dealing with, though, and you know what that means…
Coquelin reveals on Arsenal snapchat that he trained at centre back today.
— Jeorge Bird (@jeorgebird) July 27, 2016
Arsenal fans are more than familiar with seeing players shifted back or across to cover for injuries and suspensions in the back four.
They reached the 2006 Champions League final with Mathieu Flamini playing several games at left-back. Nacho Monreal has moved into the middle on more than one occasion. Even Mikel Arteta was occasionally seen along the back line.
Supporters know this sort of thing happens all the time, so they’ve made their peace with the prospect of Coquelin dropping back.
Only joking.
https://twitter.com/ryan_defreitas/status/758385845476941824
https://twitter.com/TheCoatHanger1/status/758397644221874177
Coquelin training at centre back. Great. Problem solved. Perhaps tomorrow, Holding can train as a striker!
— Jade (@Jadelike_) July 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/TikaTakaWilsh/status/758384264996093952
Coquelin to play centre back would be the most Arsene solution to an emergency. This is Arsenal FC not The Dog & Duck Sunday XI
— Just a Legacy Fan (@OohTonyAdams) July 27, 2016
How many more injuries until Arsenal start Theo Walcott at right-back? Olivier Giroud as a holding midfielder? Santi Cazorla in goal?
#InArseneWeTrust
Listen to our GAA podcast with Colm Parkinson. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.
