After the events of the last week, is the feeling that Arsenal are a side with a great deal of style but lack substance. What we have seen this week is Arsenal control games, and simple lapses in concentration are costing them. Against Tottenham, they had the game won. The team were playing well and three bad decisions and Tottenham have won the game. In the Champions League against Braga. They were in complete control of the game. Again simple mistakes, being broken on so easily and Arsenal are defeated again. For all of Arsenal’s stylish play, it is being ruined by basic mistakes.

Were Arsenal fans envious of Tottenham on Saturday. William Gallas was immense at the heart of the defence, playing with passion, grit and a determination that maybe Arsenal didn’t see on a consistent basis. He is the type of player that Arsenal need at the moment. You can’t put a price on experience and it is evident that Tottenham and especially Younes Kaboul are benefiting from it. Altthough Gallas was not the most popular man in the dressing room, to loose a player of his experience will be damaging. Maybe William Gallas personally was not right for Arsenal but have they replaced him with a better player? Arsenal have brought in Sebastien Squillaci to add experience to the defense –  he has never played in England and is still adapting.

Arsenal are a great side but they have no won a trophy since 2005 – it has to be highlighted. Arsene Wenger needs to go out in January and strengthen his back line. Going forward Arsenal have so many great options and with the returning Robin Van Persie, they will look an even greater danger. However, they need to buy a quality centre half. There can be no doubt about this. Thomas Vermaelen, when fully fit is a terrific defender but they need quality next to him. Arsenal will continue to struggle against good strikers if this doesn’t change. They time for style at the back is over. They need to go back to the old days of defending well first. The days of, David Seaman, Martin Keown and Tony Adams. Their success was built on defending well and building on a base. Arsenal seem a very reactionary team this season. They are responding to circumstances, rather than dictating them.

In 2008, Chelsea’s Michael Essien gave his views to the Daily Mail on the way Arsenal play.

‘Arsenal is one of those teams that just plays beautiful football, but at the end of the day they don’t get the points that they want to.’

That interview was taken in 2008, and what has changed at Arsenal? They are still play great football but are still trophy less. Do Arsenal fans truly believe with the defence performing the way it has this season, that Arsenal are going to be serious challengers for the Premier League. Will they simply collapse, come the business end of the season.

To be fair to Arsenal’s defence they have been exposed this season. The lack of a quality, experienced defensive midfielder is causing the team problems. For example, if we look at the first break away goal for Braga on Tuesday night. Arsenal were committing too many men forward, an experienced player such as Gilberto Silva would never have let that happened. Arsenal are a far better team going forward but they need to get the basics right and cut out the lack of concentration that is plaguing their season.

With youngsters you have to accept they will make mistajes, but they will learn from them. The worry is that some of the Arsenal players are not learning from them. With Cesc Fabregas out for a couple of weeks, somebody has to assume leadership on the pitch. Not just wear the arm band but be a captain. These defensive lapses are costing Arsenal and will continue to until a quality centre half is brought to the club.

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